TEHRAN, Iran, May 31 — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its air defense units shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone after it allegedly entered Iranian territorial airspace early Sunday, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.
According to the report, the IRGC said the aerial vehicle was immediately detected by its surveillance and air defense systems and was subsequently targeted with advanced air defense missiles. Iranian authorities claimed the drone was successfully destroyed.
The IRGC identified the aircraft as belonging to the U.S. Army and justified the action by alleging that the drone had entered Iranian airspace with the intention of conducting hostile operations.
Meanwhile, Iran has reasserted its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a warning that commercial and naval vessels must strictly adhere to shipping protocols in the strategically important maritime corridor or face potential consequences.
According to a statement carried by Iranian media, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said, “The management of the Strait of Hormuz is exercised with full authority by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The military command further emphasized that “all ships, commercial vessels, and tankers are required to travel only through designated routes and obtain permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Any violation of these regulations will seriously jeopardize the security of their traffic.”
Tehran also cautioned international naval forces operating in the region, stating that any disruption to shipping administration or vessel traffic would prompt a swift response.
Diplomatic tensions have intensified following U.S. military strikes on Iran’s Bandar Abbas port facility and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iranian air defense units successfully brought down an unmanned aerial vehicle “belonging to the U.S.-Zionist aggressor enemy.”
President Donald Trump has maintained that any potential diplomatic resolution must ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons capability and must guarantee the unrestricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rejected those conditions, stating that the Islamic Republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago,” while adding that “no final agreement has been reached.”
Trump also asserted that Tehran would undertake mine-clearance operations, restore normal shipping traffic with “no tolls,” and assist in dismantling its enriched uranium reserves, noting that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice.”
In contrast, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that Tehran is demanding “the immediate release of $12 billion” before proceeding with any diplomatic arrangements.
The news outlet added that “no such clause appears in the text of the agreement” regarding toll-free access through the Strait of Hormuz and described Trump’s public statements concerning Iran’s nuclear stockpiles as “fundamentally baseless.” (ANI)
About The Author
