Iran says US aircraft destroyed near Bushehr, Washington rejects claim
Iranian state television had earlier reported that a "hostile aircraft" was intercepted and brought down in the Jam area of Bushehr province early Friday. The report, citing Jam County governor Masoud Tangestani, claimed Iranian air defence systems had successfully targeted the aircraft.
The United States has denied Iranian media reports claiming that a US aircraft was shot down over Iran’s Bushehr province, with a US official saying no American aircraft had been destroyed near the region.
No US aircraft was shot down near Iran’s Bushehr province despite claims by Iranian state television, Reuters reported, citing a US official.
Iranian state television had earlier reported that a “hostile aircraft” was intercepted and brought down in the Jam area of Bushehr province early Friday. The report, citing Jam County governor Masoud Tangestani, claimed Iranian air defence systems had successfully targeted the aircraft.
“The incident tonight involved the downing of a hostile aircraft,” semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Tangestani as saying, adding that the situation in the city had returned to normal.
The reports emerged amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, despite indications that Washington and Tehran were moving toward extending a ceasefire and easing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports said the proposed arrangement had yet to receive approval from US President Donald Trump, while Iranian state media maintained that no final agreement had been reached.
The latest claims also came hours after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly targeted four vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz, including ships allegedly linked to the United States.
Meanwhile, the United States on Thursday announced fresh sanctions against Iran’s military-linked oil trade network. The US Treasury Department said eight vessels accused of transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products had been blacklisted.
The sanctioned vessels included the Marshall Islands-registered tanker Flora, the Comoros-flagged Hauncayo and the Panama-flagged Ill Gap.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were intended to block Iran from using oil revenues to strengthen its military capabilities.
“We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces and military capabilities,” Bessent said in a statement.