US hits drone facilities in southern Iran; Tehran says it downed US MQ-9 drone

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: The US military and Iran engaged in fresh attacks, with Washington saying it carried out airstrikes on drone-related facilities in southern Iran, while Tehran said it had shot down a US surveillance drone and warned of a stronger response to any future violations.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in tensions despite ongoing ceasefire efforts between the two sides, with both militaries signalling readiness to respond forcefully to any breach of understandings in the region.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that American forces conducted airstrikes in southern Iran targeting drone launch infrastructure and related installations, according to US media reports.

CENTCOM said that Iranian vessels involved in laying naval mines were also struck in the operation.

The US military said that it would continue to act in self-defence while exercising restraint during a fragile ceasefire period.

Iranian authorities did not immediately confirm damage from the strikes, but earlier reports from Iranian state media said explosions were heard in the port city of Bandar Abbas, adding that the situation had been brought under control.

Iran says it downed US drone

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had shot down a US MQ-9 surveillance drone and fired at an F-35 fighter jet, according to Iranian news agencies.

The IRGC said it reserves the “legitimate and final right” to respond to any ceasefire violations by U.S. forces.

There was no immediate U.S. confirmation of the Iranian claims.

Tehran warns of stronger retaliation over ceasefire breaches

Senior Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any renewed aggression would be met with an “even stronger and more powerful” response.

He said Iran had already identified potential targets and warned that retaliation could extend beyond the region if violations continue.

“If oil exports are disrupted, Iran will close the route of oil transit from the region,” he was quoted as saying.

Iran rejects Trump claim on enriched uranium transfer

Separately, Iranian diplomatic missions rejected comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting Iran’s enriched uranium should be transferred out of the country.

An Iranian embassy in Ghana said the material “is in the country and will remain in the country,” dismissing Trump’s remarks as based on “misconceptions.”

If Iran had wanted to give you uranium, Iran would have done so long before the war.

If you could have taken it from us by the war, you would have already done so.

Now, all you can do is repeat your broken dreams. This is the price of trusting a delusional war criminal friend. https://t.co/GkB9XPU6xP

— Iran In Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) May 25, 2026

An Iranian consulate in Hyderabad also criticised the US president, saying Iran would not have handed over its nuclear material even before the conflict and would not do so now.

Trump @POTUS is still obsessed with his “nuclear dust” fantasy.
“The enriched uranium will either be turned over to the US… or destroyed in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Last time you tried to take “nuclear dust” out of Isfahan, you lost 10–12 military… pic.twitter.com/SThZymAolu

— IRAN EMBASSY in KENYA (@IRANinKENYA) May 25, 2026

Trump had earlier said on Truth Social that enriched uranium should either be handed over to the United States or destroyed under international supervision, with involvement from nuclear regulatory bodies.