Iran Claims to Have Shot Down Israeli Hermes-900 Drone Off Hormozgan Coast

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and downed an Israeli-made Hermes-900 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) along the coast of Hormozgan province in southern Iran, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian state-affiliated media and IRGC statements, the medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, produced by Israel’s Elbit Systems and valued at approximately $20 million, was brought down with its missile payload reportedly intact. Iranian sources described the incident as occurring during a reconnaissance or strike mission, possibly aimed at locating Iranian missile launchers amid the ongoing shadow war between the two nations.

Footage and images show what appears to be drone wreckage or interception scenes near coastal areas. Some reports suggest electronic warfare or a specialized “drone trap” system was used to neutralize the UAV without complete destruction, potentially allowing Iran to recover valuable intelligence from sensors, avionics, or communications equipment.

The claim comes as part of a broader pattern of Iranian announcements in recent days, with the IRGC reporting the downing of multiple Israeli and U.S. drones, including Hermes-900 models over provinces such as Isfahan, Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Tehran, since early March. Iranian military officials have hailed these incidents as demonstrations of advanced air defense capabilities amid repeated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.