IRGC Claims Downing of U.S. F-16 and MQ-9 Over Southern Iran
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on March 29, 2026, that its air defense systems successfully shot down a U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon and an MQ-9 Reaper drone in southern Iranian airspace. The IRGC stated the aircraft were targeted during retaliatory operations against military and industrial facilities. While U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that an F-16 was targeted by ground fire during a combat flight, officials have not yet confirmed the loss of either airframe.
Date: March 29, 2026
Location: Iran
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: other
Severity: HIGH
Source: Xinhua