US launches strikes on Iranian military sites after drone incident, Tehran vows retaliation

The United States said it carried out "self-defence strikes" on Iranian radar and drone-control facilities over the weekend after Tehran allegedly shot down an American drone, marking the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries despite an ongoing ceasefire.

The US military said the strikes targeted facilities in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, as well as other military infrastructure linked to Iran's air defence network.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation was conducted on Saturday and Sunday in response to the downing of a US MQ-1 drone that Washington said was operating over international waters.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said US fighter aircraft destroyed Iranian air-defence systems, a ground-control station and two one-way attack drones. A telecommunications tower on Sirik Island in southern Iran was also reportedly struck during the operation.

“No American service members were harmed. CENTCOM will continue to protect US assets and interests in response to unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire,” the post read.

Iran, however, disputed the US account and claimed that its air-defence units had shot down the MQ-1 drone after it entered Iranian territorial airspace early on Sunday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the aircraft belonged to the US military and alleged that it had entered Iranian airspace with the intention of carrying out hostile operations.

In a further escalation, the IRGC announced on Monday that its aerospace force had targeted an air base allegedly linked to the US strike on the telecommunications tower in Hormozgan province, according to reports carried by Iran International.

The Iranian military did not disclose the location of the base but claimed that the retaliatory operation successfully struck pre-identified targets connected to the US action.

In a statement, the IRGC warned that any further military action by the United States would trigger a “completely different” response.

The latest exchange comes despite a ceasefire that took effect in early April and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran.

However, significant differences remain between the two sides, particularly over Iran's demand for sanctions relief and access to billions of dollars in oil revenues currently frozen in foreign banks.