Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its air defense forces targeted a US F-16 Fighting Falcon and an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the southern airspace of Iran. The IRGC reported that these strikes occurred during joint retaliatory missile and drone operations against heavy industries linked to the United States and Israel. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged that its F-16 Fighting Falcon was hit, as confirmed in a social media post.
The IRGC also announced the destruction of a Ukrainian anti-drone equipment depot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which was allegedly aiding US forces. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, disclosed that a warehouse in Dubai housing Ukrainian anti-drone systems and 21 Ukrainians was demolished in a coordinated operation by the IRGC’s Air Force and Navy. However, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson refuted these claims as false.
Tensions escalated following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran from February 28 onwards, prompting retaliatory actions by Iran and its regional allies against Israeli and US interests in the Middle East.
