Amid Escalating Tensions, Iran Claims Downing US Aircraft and Takes Action in Tehran

According to reports from Sandesh (Foreign), NDTV, The Independent, The Hindu (World), and Gulf News, new and shocking claims have emerged amid the ongoing tensions and war-like situation between Iran and the US. In a statement in Tehran, Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, spokesperson for the IRGC Aerospace Force, claimed that Iran has shot down 260 US aircraft so far. He also stated that Iran will showcase its new might in the upcoming war.

Iran's military strategy is largely based on underground missile and drone bases. To protect against US attacks, arms manufacturing factories are being moved underground. Iran has claimed that despite bombardments, the production of missiles and drones has continued to ensure a steady supply of weapons during the war. Iran's military self-reliance is based on three pillars: understanding foreign technology and developing it locally, converting scientific knowledge into missiles, drones, and air defense systems for mass production, and reducing dependence on other countries for weapons and components.

In this context, Iran cited the Arman missile, 358 drone, and Khordad-3 air defense system as examples of its military capabilities. It also warned that many new military capabilities will be revealed to the world in future conflicts. On the other hand, the US military announced the creation of a 20-member task force comprising civilian and military personnel based in Florida. The objective of this task force is to intercept overland transportation routes in Iran, halt weapons shipments and illicit materials, as well as limit Iran's terrorism financing and military reconstruction.

US Central Command's Brad Cooper stated in a post on the social media platform X on Saturday that this task force will curb Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild arms factories, and replenish its military by intercepting advanced weapon systems, dual-use technologies, restricted materials, and illegal revenue flows across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. Due to the US naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports during the eight-month war between the two countries, Iran's crude oil exports worth approximately $25 billion have been stalled.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards stated that Washington's new effort will fail and will not lead to the economic collapse of the Islamic Republic. Hossein Mohebi also said that the US will never succeed in its objective of imposing an economic blockade or applying heavy economic pressure.

Meanwhile, Iran hanged three young men on Sunday. Their names were Hassan Dioband, Hamid Kazemi, and Reza Zanganeh. They were convicted of operating on behalf of Israel and the US and participating in armed unrest against the government in January. At least 35 people have been executed in Iran in recent months. Nearly 3,000 people died in this unrest, which occurred a few weeks before the ongoing war started by the US and Israel, and public property suffered widespread damage. Human rights groups stated that at least half of the 70 executions recorded in Iran this year were directly linked to this unrest.

These three convicts were accused of using firearms, grenades, and Molotov cocktails, setting public facilities on fire, and damaging an electricity substation in Karaj, which caused a blackout. Hassan Dioband was arrested on January 11, and ten others who participated in the unrest under his supervision were also arrested. Subsequently, the lower court sentenced the three to death and ordered the confiscation of their property, while sentencing the others to 5 to 10 years in imprisonment, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, according to the Revolutionary Guards, three oil tankers passing through an illegal channel in the Strait of Hormuz caught fire on Sunday. Since the Iran war began in late February, Tehran has restricted traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and insisted that vessels use routes authorized by the Islamic Republic. The British maritime agency UKMTO reported that a tanker caught fire off the coast of Khasab (Oman) on Saturday after being hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in the evacuation of the crew.

Emirati state media reported on Sunday that 22 people were rescued from the burning ship in the Gulf of Oman and their condition is stable. US Central Command stated last month that it has helped export 1.5 billion barrels of oil from Gulf countries through Hormuz since the summer and that all mines have been cleared from the waterway. Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that explosion-like sounds were heard in Qeshm, Sirik, Jask, and Bandar Abbas, and officials confirmed an attack in the port city of Jask.