Iran Shoots Down Invading U.S. Reaper Drone, Fires at Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Update: CENTCOM has denied the strike, posting a "FACT CHECK" graphic stating "no U.S. aircraft were shot down" and "all U.S. air assets are accounted for." Iranian media has not yet released debris photos, aircraft type or casualty details to substantiate the governor's claim. CENTCOM's denial is not independent verification, it is a belligerent's account. On 3 April, an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, an A-10 was hit, and two Black Hawks took fire during the rescue. The U.S. military initially declined to comment, then confirmed all of it. Iranian state media had reported it first.

While much of the media were reporting on a possible “Memorandum of Understanding” being close between the USA and Iran, the USA were busy invading Iranian airspace. A U.S. MQ-9 “Reaper” drone had been shot down above Bushehr province in Iran. The province hosts one of Iran’s nuclear power plants, which has been the target of multiple attacks by the USA and Israel during the war.

Iranian forces also launched a warning missile at four vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which had reportedly entered without coordination with Iran. Explosions were first heard across Hormozgan and Bushehr provinces before Iranian state-affiliated outlets began publishing details.

Fars News confirmed the IRGC had launched missiles from southern Iran, and Tasnim confirmed firing at vessels in the strait. Preliminary reporting placed the launches at the Shahid Chamran base in Jam, Bushehr province. It remains unclear whether the targeted ships were U.S. warships or commercial vessels, though unconfirmed reports from Iranian channels claim they were U.S. military ships.

This is the third flare up of tensions between the USA and Iran in as many days. It is currently unclear if tonight’s tensions have come to an end, we will keep watch throughout the night.

This story is developing and will be updated as further verified updates arrive.