Iran delivers brutal mid-air strike, $10M spy drone shot down in 'precision attack' | On camera

Iranian air defenses have reportedly shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle, marking another escalation in the ongoing aerial contest between the 2 sides. According to Iranian media, the drone was intercepted and destroyed over Iranian territory, with officials claiming it was detected and engaged by integrated air defense systems. The Hermes 900 is one of Israel 's most advanced medium altitude long endurance drones used for surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions and is estimated to cost upwards of 7 to $10,000,000 per unit. This is not an isolated incident. Since the start of the current phase of the conflict, Iran has repeatedly claimed to have shot down multiple Israeli and US drones across different regions. The pattern points to an increasingly contested airspace where drones, once considered relatively low risk assets, are now facing growing vulnerability to layered air defense networks. There has been no immediate confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the latest reported shoot down. A major aerial confrontation is unfolding over the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran 's air defense forces have claimed to have shot down an advanced MQ 9 drone in the eastern approaches to the vital maritime corridor, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Iranian military sources, the unmanned aerial vehicle described as belonging to aggressor American Zionist forces was tracked, engaged and destroyed in a precision interception on Sunday. The Downing of the high value drone highlights the growing intensity of aerial operations in one of the world 's most sensitive choke points for global energy supplies. In a separate development, Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, announced that 2 additional orbiter drones were intercepted and destroyed in Korumbad. Officials say the drones were detected and neutralized by advanced air defense systems operating under Iran 's Integrated National Defense Network. With these latest interceptions, Iranian authorities claim the total number of Israeli US drones downed since the start of the conflict has risen to around 140. They also indicate that the number of advanced fighter jets destroyed is approaching double digits. The escalation comes amid a broader conflict that erupted on February 28th, when the United States and Israel launched a new wave of aerial attacks on Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched sustained retaliatory operations, firing waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military positions across the region. As aerial battles intensify and strategic assets are targeted, the conflict shows no signs of slowing, raising fears of a wider and more dangerous regional war. Images released by Iranian state television on the 28th of March 2026 appear to show what Tehran describes as the 85th wave of missile strikes targeting the Heavy Industries of its adversaries. The Revolutionary Guards claim that these operations destroyed a USF 16 fighter jet before it could land at a military base in Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential escalation in tensions across the region. According to reports from Iran 's semi official Tasni news agency, the F 16 was forced into an emergency landing at a western Saudi Arabian air base. However, the United States Central Command has rejected Iran 's claim. In a statement, CENTCOM confirmed that the F 16 landed safely at a base in the Middle East following a routine combat flight in support of ongoing operations without sustaining damage. Iran has also previously claimed to have targeted US aircraft. On the 22nd of March, Tehran reported that a USF 15 East Strike Eagle had been struck near Iranian waters. Earlier in the month, the Revolutionary Guards released video footage purporting to show a 5th generation F 35 stealth fighter under attack, though the authenticity remains unverified. These claims come amid an intensifying series of exchanges in the region, with missile strikes, drone operations, and air patrols all contributing to heightened tensions. For now, both Tehran and Washington maintain their official positions. The US continues to assert operational control and readiness across the region, while Iran 's Revolutionary Guards emphasize their capability to strike strategic targets, signaling that aerial and missile operations remain a central component of ongoing hostilities. However, if the F 16 incident is true, it raises some tough questions. Our American aircraft operating in increasingly hostile conditions. Is Iran 's military still powerful despite claims of its decimation? Can US air power hold the line? Iran is sending a message to the skies. No platform is out of reach as America 's air dominance faces its biggest test in years. America 's air power dominance is under threat. Iran has done the unthinkable. Tehran is pushing the limits, challenging the very backbone of the US military. An American F 16 fighter jet was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident reported by Tasneem news agency signals rising tensions in the skies over the Middle East. Iran 's semi official news agency associated with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that Arab media reported that a USF 16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at 1:00 of the military bases in western Saudi Arabia. From missile barrages to drone swarms, Iran is jolting the supremacy of the United States. Meanwhile, amid reports of the F 16 emergency landing, the US Central Command, CENTCOM posted a rejection of the claim. CENTCOM said a US Air Force F 16 fighting Falcon lands at a base in the Middle East after a combat flight in support of Operation Epic Fury. However, if the F 16 incident is true, it raises some tough questions. Are American aircraft operating in increasingly hostile conditions? Is Iran 's military still powerful despite claims of its decimation? Can US air power hold the line? Iran is sending a message to the skies. No platform is out of reach as America 's air dominance faces its biggest test in years. Earlier, Iran also claimed to have hit a US 5th generation F 35 stealth fighter jet. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a video on March 19th claiming to show an F 35 being targeted, but its authenticity has not been confirmed. Tehran also said it had targeted a USF 15 East Strike Eagle near its coast on March 22nd. Most recently, on Thursday, Iran claimed it shot down a USF Slash, a 18 fighter jet, although this claim was rejected by the Pentagon. According to Air and Space Forces magazine, a publication closely linked to the US military, around 20 US aircraft have reportedly been damaged by Iran during the ongoing war. Even as US and Israeli forces dominate the skies and dismantle Iranian capabilities, the loss of nearly 2 dozen aircraft sends a chilling message. Air superiority does not mean invincibility. Can the United States maintain control of the skies? Or is a new era of aerial warfare already here? A dramatic, unverified video is fueling fresh claims of a near miss involving a U.S. Navy fighter jet over Iran. The footage circulating on social media purports to show an Iranian shoulder fired air defense system, commonly known as a man pads man portable air defense system, coming close to hitting a U.S. Navy F 18 EF Super Hornet operating over Iranian territory. The incident, which reportedly occurred yesterday, comes amid ongoing fighting between Iran, the United States, and Israel. According to Iranian claims, a missile was launched from the ground and detonated in close proximity to the aircraft. The jet, however, appears to have continued flying, suggesting that it was either not hit or avoided critical damage. There has been no credible confirmation of a crash, pilot ejection, or loss of the aircraft. Meanwhile, the US military 's central command, CENTCOM said on X that claims by Iran 's Revolutionary Guard Corps that it struck a USF 18 fighter jet with a new advanced air defense system are false. No US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran, CENTCOM said. Despite the US strong assertion, questions remain over whether Iran shot down an F 35 just days ago.