Iran Warns of Expanded Strikes as Air Defenses Shoot Down More Israeli and US Drones

TEHRAN, March 6, 2026: Iranian military officials have warned that the country’s retaliatory campaign will intensify in the coming days. Iran’s forces continue to intercept and destroy Israeli and US aircraft and drones across the nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Israel has hidden its military resources among civilian areas, but Iranian forces are actively locating and targeting them.

“The cowardly military forces and facilities of the Zionist regime have hidden in civilian layers. Detection and striking of aggressors will continue. The trend of attacks will become more intense and widespread in the coming days,” Zolfaghari said on Thursday night.

Iranian Air Defenses Remain Active

Zolfaghari reported that Iranian air defenses intercepted and destroyed one F-15E fighter jet and four advanced reconnaissance-combat drones, including Hermes 900 and MQ-9, over western, southwestern, and southern regions.

“The total number of enemy drones shot down since the US-Israeli aggression began last Saturday has now exceeded 75,” he added.

The strikes follow a new round of aerial attacks by the US and Israel on February 28, which resulted in the death of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and over 1,200 Iranian civilians, including women, children, and senior military officials.

Iran Confirms Legitimate Self-Defense

Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia, Iranian Army spokesperson, stressed that Iran had not sought this conflict.

“This is an unwanted war, but it is a sacred and legitimate war because we are defending ourselves. The motivation of Iran’s armed forces is far greater than that of the enemies,” he said.

Akrami-Nia confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, adding that the current instability is due to US actions. He warned that restoring full security in the region may take time.

Iran Achieves Military Success Against Enemies

Veteran IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei said the conflict marks a turning point.

“Iranian forces are teaching the criminal Trump and Netanyahu a lesson. The enemies wanted a quick victory, but Iran has achieved significant military successes,” Rezaei said.

He highlighted that dozens of advanced US and Israeli drones have been shot down, and Iranian forces are prepared for a prolonged confrontation if necessary.

The IRGC’s Sahib al-Zaman Corps in Isfahan confirmed on Friday that another Israeli Heron reconnaissance drone had been shot down, marking the second drone destroyed over the province in a short period.

“The aerospace defense of the IRGC tracked and destroyed the drone in the skies of Isfahan,” the statement said.

Iranian officials say their military campaign is a legitimate act of self-defense and will continue until US forces leave the Persian Gulf.