Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Iranian state television reported early Friday that a US aircraft had been destroyed in the Jam region of Bushehr province, citing Governor Masoud Tangestani, though there was no immediate confirmation from the United States, Reuters reported.
Iranian media reported that the country’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a “hostile aircraft” in the coastal Bushehr province.
“The incident tonight involved the downing of a hostile aircraft,” semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Jam County governor Masoud Tangestani as saying, adding that the situation in the city was now normal.
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The escalation came despite reports that the United States and Iran had reached an agreement on Thursday to extend their ceasefire and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, reports said US President Donald Trump had not yet approved the proposed deal, while Iranian state media maintained that no final agreement had been reached.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly attacked four vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, including ships allegedly connected to the United States.
The United States on Thursday announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil shipping network tied to its military operations, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to prolong their ceasefire and reopen shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US Treasury Department, eight vessels accused of helping transport Iranian crude and petroleum products were blacklisted. Among them were the Marshall Islands-registered tanker Flora, the Comoros-flagged Hauncayo and the Panama-flagged Ill Gap.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were aimed at preventing Tehran from using oil revenues to rebuild its military strength and defence capabilities.
“We will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces and military capabilities,” Bessent said in a release.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
