Tehran: Iran's Army Air Defense Force has successfully intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 aggressor drone and a US cruise missile in the western region of the country, the military announced on Sunday. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the Army's Public Relations Office released a statement confirming that an MQ-9 drone was shot down hours ago by the air defense systems.

In a separate incident, an American cruise missile was also tracked and intercepted by the same air defense units in western Iran, a second statement revealed. These defensive actions underscore Iran's vigilance in protecting its airspace and sovereignty.

The downings occur amid renewed US aggression against Iran, just weeks after Tehran and Washington signed a tentative deal, mediated by Pakistan, aimed at ending the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic. This development highlights the ongoing tension between the two nations despite diplomatic efforts to ease hostilities.