Iran has claimed it shot down a United States fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions amid the wider Middle East conflict, and warned against “provocative action” ahead of a planned United Nations Security Council vote on authorizing force to protect shipping in the strategic waterway. (A News)
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it downed the aircraft over Qeshm Island, a key area near the strait, a vital route for global oil shipments. Tehran’s announcement came as it criticised the Security Council’s proposed vote on a draft resolution to allow “defensive force” to secure navigation through the strait, a measure Iran called destabilising and provocative.
The vote, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed, with diplomats citing procedural delays. Iranian officials have strongly opposed international military involvement in the strait, saying such actions would further complicate the situation.
The United States has rejected Iran’s claim, with US Central Command stating that all American fighter aircraft are accounted for and dismissing Tehran’s report as false. The Pentagon noted that similar claims have been made by Iran multiple times without independent verification.
The dispute reflects broader tensions in the region, where clashes between Iran and US-aligned forces have disrupted shipping and heightened fears of a wider conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, carrying a significant share of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.