Dubai: Irans military announced on Monday that it had executed a drone strike involving dozens of explosive drones targeting US troops and helicopters at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. This action was reportedly in retaliation for a recent US strike on Iran's Larak Island.

According to TRTworld.com, the Iranian army confirmed that the attack aimed at locations accommodating US military personnel and helicopters at the base, which it identified as a critical logistics and air transport hub for foreign forces. The army also promised further retaliation against US troops, citing the operation as a response to the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard members and civilians due to Sunday's US strike.

Additionally, the Revolutionary Guards stated on Monday that they had successfully shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz using missile fire, resulting in the drone crashing into the Gulf waters, as reported by Iran's Mehr News Agency.

These developments came in the wake of US strikes on two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday. This incident marked the first US strikes on Iranian territory since late July, according to a US official speaking to Axios. The operation specifically targeted systems allegedly set to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The Guards reported casualties among their fighters and civilians and vowed a response, with Iran's Tasnim news agency reporting that preliminary information suggested the US attack was conducted using drones.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking on Monday before departing for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, affirmed that while Tehran was not seeking war, it would not remain passive in the face of aggression. According to Fars news agency, Pezeshkian stated that Iran would deliver a decisive response to any further attacks, emphasizing that instability and unrest in the region do not benefit any country and present challenges to all involved.

The ongoing exchanges occur amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, as Iran threatens further retaliation following the US operation on Larak Island.