Iran says it downed a US drone over Qeshm as Trump calls new strikes minor

Drone claim over Qeshm

Iran's armed forces said on Saturday, 7 November, that they had shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island in the south-east of the country. A statement carried by the state broadcaster IRIB said the drone had been hit by the country's integrated air defence network. The Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite military force, gave a different model, an MQ-1, and said it was the sixteenth drone of that type downed since the war began, according to the state news agency IRNA. No casualties or injuries had been reported at the time of the claim.

Trump's account of the strikes

Trump told reporters on Friday, 6 November, that US forces had carried out another round of limited strikes on an air defence system in Iran, and he called them 'minor'. Asked about the attacks on Qeshm, he first declined to comment before describing what happened.

“they built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five”

The US military had earlier described strikes on Monday, 2 November, as 'defensive', when explosions were heard on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam and near Bandar Abbas on the mainland. The Friday strikes were the first since the US midterm elections on Tuesday, 3 November, which gave Trump's Republican Party a sharp electoral setback. Trump acknowledged that the war, which pushed up energy prices after it began in late February, partly explained the result. He added that Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Explosions reported on Qeshm

Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm on the night of Friday to Saturday. The semi-official agency Tasnim said early reports pointed to two missiles hitting the island, but it had no official details on damage. IRNA, citing local residents, said they heard the noise of an aircraft above the island before two projectiles struck, and some witnesses said it sounded like a fighter jet. Explosions were also reported near Bandar Khamir, a locality on the Persian Gulf coast, although Iranian officials did not say whether they were linked to the island incident. Iranian authorities had not officially confirmed the incident or given details on casualties or on who was responsible.

Talks, Hormuz and the reward offer

Qatar's International Media Office on Friday called reports that negotiations between the US and Iran had failed false and misleading, saying both sides were still talking. The Qatari prime minister confirmed that mediation with the United States and Iran was continuing towards a peace agreement. Trump spoke with the Emir of Qatar on Friday, while Iran's foreign minister made calls to Gulf counterparts during the week. Trump said mediators' discussions with Iran continue.

“We are talking to Iran. We have been.”

US Central Command said in a post on X late Friday that it was offering a reward of up to $20m and possible relocation for information about Iran's nuclear programme, including facilities, equipment and personnel. The post linked to the State Department's Rewards for Justice programme. Separately, Iran's military spokesman said on Saturday that Iranian forces would only reopen the Strait of Hormuz to hydrocarbon trade if the US accepted Tehran's conditions, and Iran has said ships were destroyed by mines there. Differences over the nuclear programme remain the thorniest issue, and Trump insists it must be resolved in any deal.

Warnings and Gulf alerts

The Iranian army spokesman, Mohammad Akraminia, said the armed forces were now on a higher state of alert and were stronger than at the start of the war. On the Supreme Leader's orders, he said, any response by the forces would be immediate, effective and without geographic limit. The US State Department issued a security alert for several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, urging citizens to prepare for possible flight disruptions from airspace closures. Concern has grown that Trump could still order new strikes against Iran while diplomatic contacts continue.