Iran claims destruction of 11 US aircraft, 17 drones during 15-day conflict

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed its forces destroyed 11 US military aircraft and helicopters along with 17 advanced surveillance and operational drones during the recent 15-day conflict with the United States in the Middle East.

The claim was made in a statement issued by the IRGC on Saturday (July 25) and carried by Iran's state-run news agencies IRNA and Mehr News Agency.

According to IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, the alleged strikes were carried out between July 8 and July 22, targeting US military installations across the region.

Mohebi said the destroyed assets included an F-15 fighter jet inside a hangar, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, a C-17 military transport aircraft, eight aerial refuelling tanker aircraft, as well as several helicopters.

He further claimed that 17 US drones were destroyed during the fighting, including eight drones that had not yet been deployed and were awaiting assembly.

However, the IRGC's claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from US authorities regarding the allegations.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated earlier this month over control and management of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital global shipping route. On July 8, US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire memorandum signed between the two countries the previous month was no longer in effect, triggering renewed hostilities.

Since then, both sides have exchanged strikes, raising concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global energy supplies.

Meanwhile, Iran's Health Ministry said recent US airstrikes had killed 59 people and injured 592 others. The figures were released by Hossein Kermanpour, head of the ministry's Public Relations and Information Centre, and reported by Mehr News Agency.

Iran also reiterated its earlier claim that 3,375 people were killed during a previous wave of US strikes between February 28 and April 10, including 2,875 men and 496 women.

According to Iranian authorities, 118 healthcare workers were injured and 26 were killed during that period.