Iran Claims Successful Drone Mission, US Issues Contradictory Statement

Tehran:
Iranian media reported that an Iranian military drone returned on Tuesday after completing a “surveillance mission” in international waters. The claim came shortly after the US military stated that it had shot down an Iranian aircraft that was “approaching an aircraft carrier in an aggressive manner.”

Citing unnamed sources, Iran’s Fars News Agency said the drone successfully monitored military activity in areas surrounding Iran and transmitted real-time data to a ground base. According to Xinhua News Agency, the report described such missions as essential for maintaining “full surveillance” of the region.

Meanwhile, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, quoting an informed source, reported that Iran has lost contact with one of its drones. An investigation is underway to determine the cause, and officials said details would be announced once the reason is identified.

Earlier in the day, the US Central Command said an American F-35C fighter jet was “forced” to shoot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone over the Arabian Sea. According to the command, the drone made “unprovoked manoeuvres” toward the USS Abraham Lincoln while the aircraft carrier was transiting international waters about 800 kilometres from the Iranian coast.

The US military said the drone was shot down in “self-defence,” adding that no American personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged during the encounter.

The incident occurred amid a significant US military presence in the region. The Trump administration had deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and several warships to the Middle East in late January, as the US president has continued to issue warnings to Tehran.