Iran has claimed that it has shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone near the Strait of Hormuz with its new Arash-e Kamangir air defense system, after which tensions in the region have once again increased.
According to Iranian media, the drone was targeted near Qeshm Island, while this was the first time that Iran allegedly used its new locally developed Arash-e Kamangir defense system in practice.
According to the Fars News Agency, the system is also capable of identifying targets with stealth technology, but its technical details have not been fully revealed. Iranian officials say that this action is a clear message to enemy aircraft and spy drones, especially at a time when Iran wants to use its influence over the Strait of Hormuz as an important weapon in negotiations.
On the other hand, Iranian state media claimed that an explosion was heard in Bushehr, the nature and causes of which are not clear, the sounds of the explosions were heard due to the air defense system targeting the planes.
US officials have not confirmed the plane crash, officials say that no US plane was crashed near Bushehr, and all US air assets are safe. According to experts, Tehran has been investing heavily in developing low-cost, mobile and local defense systems for the past several years.
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