USA Denies Drone Was Downed While Invading Iranian Airspace
CENTCOM has denied a strike downed a drone that had been invading Iranian airspace overnight, posting a “FACT CHECK” graphic stating “no U.S. aircraft were shot down” and “all U.S. air assets are accounted for.” Iranian state media reports that a U.S. MQ-9 “Reaper” drone was 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. CENTCOM’s denial is not 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 denied the claim, then confirmed all of it. Iranian state media had reported it first. CENTCOM has also denied every reported strike on U.S. ships, even when those same ships would go in for repairs shortly after the claims of strikes.
Ultimately, we cannot believe either side on this claim, as Iran has failed to provide follow-up evidence of the claim. The only thing that seems to undeniably be true, is the presence of the drone in Iranian airspace, as the USA did not deny that claim, while flight tracking data supports a larger presence of U.S. Navy aircraft in the area at the time of the missile launch.
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. 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 between the USA and Iran in as many days. CENTCOM denies the drone was downed. CENTCOM has denied every strike of this war. We will keep watch through the night.