Brussels: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced late Friday that it successfully shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the southern province of Bushehr.

According to Anadolu Agency, the state-run IRNA news agency reported that the drone was intercepted and destroyed by the IRGC Navy's recently deployed advanced air defense system, which operates within Iran's integrated national air defense network. The statement from the IRGC revealed that the drone was engaged moments after entering the airspace over Bushehr, although further details regarding the incident or the drone's mission were not provided.

In a separate report, IRNA noted that the US military had launched a series of missile strikes overnight, targeting locations in Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Lar, Darab, and Yazd. These actions were described as part of a continuing series of attacks. As of now, there has been no immediate response from US officials regarding the Iranian claims.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Despite a Pakistani-mediated framework agreement aimed at resolving the conflict and establishing a lasting peace, hostilities between the two nations have continued to intensify in recent weeks.