Iran claims US drone shot down over southern port city of Bandar Abbas

October 25, 2026

Tehran: Iran’s military claimed on Sunday that its air defense units intercepted and destroyed a US drone over the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. According to the military, this is the 54th US drone Iran has claimed to have intercepted in recent months.

The Iranian military said in a statement on its website that its air defense systems targeted the drone. Earlier this week, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed that its air defense units had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz. The incident was reported by the news agency Xinhua.

Trump warns Iran, military action may be imminent

US President Donald Trump has warned that if Tehran does not reach an agreement with Washington, the US military could once again launch military strikes against Iran. His statement indicates that despite claims of decisively defeating Iran, the US is keeping the option of military action open.

Addressing a Republican Party campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday, Trump said, “We can have another small ‘Epic Fury’ campaign, or they can be willing to compromise. If they’re smart, they’ll say, ‘Let’s get down to business.'”

Trump’s comments come as he is touting the US military campaign as a success, while simultaneously pressuring Iran for a deal aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.

However, Trump did not specify what conditions Iran would have to meet to avoid potential military action.

He said, “We’ve defeated them on all fronts, militarily, economically, and otherwise, and now we’re making sure that situation persists.”

Intelligence official warns of potential targeting of US officials

Meanwhile, a senior US intelligence official has warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran has stepped up efforts to target US officials. According to the official, some of the deadly plots are reportedly in a very advanced stage.

This development comes as Washington is withdrawing its diplomats from Saudi Arabia and reducing staffing at US embassies in several other countries in the region.

These incidents have raised fears of escalating tensions between Iran and the US. However, the alleged plots to target US officials and the claims of downed drones have not been independently confirmed.