Iran’s army said on Sunday that its air defence systems had shot down a US LUCAS drone over the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating tensions between Tehran, Washington and Israel.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the drone was intercepted by air defence systems operating under Iran’s integrated air defence network.
The announcement came hours after US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington was considering fresh military action against Iran, while also leaving open the possibility of a diplomatic agreement.
On Friday, Trump said the United States "may do another little Epic Fury," referring to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the possibility of renewed conflict would not alter Tehran’s policies.
"Recently, there has been talk of a new war, but I am already thinking about the post-war period. Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same," Araghchi said during a televised event in Tehran.
He added that Iran had already faced attacks twice and warned against another attempt. "They have already done so twice and have seen the results. If they want to try again, they know they will achieve no different outcome from those of the past."
Iran reports another US drone interception
The reported interception over Bandar Abbas follows an earlier incident on October 20, when Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian reports described it as the 54th drone of its kind to have been downed.
The latest reported incident comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of regional security concerns because of its importance to global energy shipments.
Trump has indicated that Washington could launch further strikes against Iran but has also suggested that a deal remains possible.
Tehran, meanwhile, has maintained that the threat of military action will not force it to change its position.
Regional tensions spread beyond Iran The latest developments unfolded amid a wider escalation across West Asia.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group said it had targeted the Al-Nasr camp and a naval military base in the southern port city of Aden on October 24. Yemen’s internationally recognised government also reported Houthi missile attacks on coast guard installations in the city. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence separately reported missile debris in areas including Mecca and Jeddah after interceptions.
On Sunday, Saudi authorities said they had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait in the kingdom’s southwest.
– with Agencies inputs --
