Iranian fighter jets reportedly forced a US drone to change its course, according to media reports. The incident allegedly occurred on Monday near the airspace of the Middle East. The unmanned aircraft had to alter its trajectory as Iranian F-14 interceptors and surveillance drones positioned themselves in its path. The Iranian military did not provide further details.
In related news, the Iranian medium reported that the country’s military forces remain in high readiness, prepared for a comprehensive defense and a strong counterattack.
On Monday, users of online platforms Flightradar24 and AirNav Radar noticed a US drone over the Persian Gulf, near the Iranian coast. The drone in question was a Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, with screenshots published on the X platform.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump attributed the ongoing Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea to Iran. On his Truth Social platform, the Republican wrote that the Houthi militias, under the direct control of Tehran, receive weapons, money and even intelligence from the Iranian government.
“Every shot fired by the Houthis will be seen as a shot fired by the weapons and leadership of Iran from this point on” Trump wrote.
In this case, Tehran will “face terrible consequences” warned Trump.
The Iranian government called Trump’s statements “unreasonable and provocative.” High-ranking US officials attempted to justify the US attacks in Yemen with baseless accusations against the country. Every aggressive act will have severe consequences and the government in Washington must take responsibility, stated Iranian UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Irawani.
Prior to Trump’s announcement, the US had launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen for the first time since Trump’s presidency. The US president announced a “decisive and strong military action” to end the rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea. According to the Houthis, at least 53 people were killed and at least 98 others wounded in the attacks.