Iran says air defenses destroyed 111 drones since US-Israeli war began

Iran on Friday said that its air defenses have destroyed 111 drones since the start of the war involving the US and Israel, according to a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The statement, reported by the official Iranian news agency IRNA, said an armed MQ-9 drone was intercepted and destroyed over Firuzabad in Fars Province, while another drone was also shot down in the skies over Tabriz.

Drone toll

The IRGC added that the total number of drones of various types destroyed since the start of the war has reached 111. The figure provides insight into the scale of aerial engagements in the conflict, which has seen both sides launch extensive drone and missile campaigns against military and infrastructure targets.

Conflict context

Tensions across the Middle East have flared up since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolgirls. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure while affecting global markets and aviation.

Continuing exchanges

The war has now entered its 16th day with no signs of abating. US and Israeli forces have struck over 9,000 targets in Iran, according to Tehran officials, while Iran has launched approximately 3,200 projectiles toward Israel and regional US assets. Gulf states continue to intercept incoming threats while attempting to avoid direct involvement in the conflict.