Iran’s air defence forces down Israeli drones near Mashhad airport

Iran’s air defence forces successfully intercepted and shot down an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while thwarting a strike near Mashhad airport in the country’s eastern region, local authorities said.

The incident was confirmed by the deputy head of police for Khorasan-Rezavi province, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

The official revealed that, in addition to the downing of a primary Israeli drone, Iran’s air defence systems engaged and neutralized several other Israeli UAVs attempting incursions in the same vicinity overnight. The coordinated defensive operation prevented the potential execution of hostile activities near the strategic airport.

Israel attacked a number of residential neighborhoods of Tehran as well as military and nuclear sites in other parts of Iran in the early hours of June 13.

The Iranian armed forces have conducted multiple waves of retaliatory missile strikes targeting Israeli positions, following an initial Israeli offensive on Iranian territory.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear, military and residential sites have resulted in the martyrdom of top military commanders, nuclear scientists and ordinary citizens, including 45 women and children.

By Vafa Guliyeva