Iran Claims Air Defenses Shot Down U.S. Cruise Missile Near Khorramabad
TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Saturday that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile near the western city of Khorramabad in Lorestan province, saying the projectile was brought down before it could reach its intended target.
According to a statement issued by the public relations office of the IRGC’s Hazrat Abolfazl Division in Lorestan, the incident occurred on the morning of July 12 in the Dareh Nasb area on the outskirts of Khorramabad.
The IRGC said an advanced air defense system operated by the Aerospace Force and integrated into Iran’s national air defense network successfully detected, tracked and intercepted the incoming cruise missile.
According to the Iranian news agency Wana , The statement described the interception as taking place during what it called a U.S. military attack, claiming the missile was destroyed before it reached its target. However, Iranian authorities did not provide evidence to support the claim or disclose additional operational details.
Officials also did not identify the type of cruise missile used, the launch location or the intended target. No information was released regarding casualties, injuries or damage resulting from the incident.
The IRGC said the interception demonstrated the effectiveness of Iran’s integrated air defense capabilities and the readiness of its military forces to respond to what it described as external threats.
The reported missile interception comes amid heightened regional tensions and increased military activity involving Iran and the United States. Tehran has repeatedly said it remains on high alert and has strengthened its air defense systems to counter potential attacks on strategic and military installations.
There has been no immediate comment from U.S. officials regarding the Iranian claim, and the report could not be independently verified.
Iran has in recent years invested heavily in expanding its indigenous missile defense and air defense capabilities, frequently conducting military exercises to showcase its preparedness against aerial threats. Iranian officials have consistently maintained that the country’s defense systems are capable of intercepting a wide range of airborne targets, including drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.