Israeli Hermes 900 Drone Shot Down Over Iran as Air War Intensifies

In a major development amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, an Israeli Air Force drone was shot down over central Iran overnight. The incident took place in the Isfahan region, a sensitive area known for housing several of Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.

Iranian state television aired footage early Wednesday showing what appeared to be the wreckage of an Israeli Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This marks the first confirmed case of an Israeli drone being downed over Iranian territory since the ongoing operation began.

Later, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the loss of one of its drones during an operational mission. “During operational activity, a surface-to-air missile was launched at an air force unmanned aerial vehicle,” said an IDF spokesperson, adding that there’s “no fear of information leaking” from the crashed aircraft. The Israeli military stated that such risks were considered in their operational planning.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been conducting long-range missions deep into Iranian territory — more than 1,500 kilometers away from Israel — since last Friday. According to the IDF, the Israeli military currently holds air supremacy over western Iran and even Tehran, and is working to extend control to other areas to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile threats aimed at Israel.

So far, over 70 Iranian air defense batteries have reportedly been destroyed in Israeli air raids. The military emphasized that achieving and maintaining air superiority requires “initiative and offensive actions, which come with costs that were accounted for in the plan.” The incident involving the drone in Isfahan is under further investigation.

This incident is part of a broader conflict now entering its sixth day, which Israel describes as a preemptive operation to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities — both seen as an existential threat to the Jewish state. Israel’s ongoing military campaign has targeted Iranian nuclear scientists, top commanders, ballistic missile infrastructure, and uranium enrichment sites.

In response, Iran has launched more than 370 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, these attacks have claimed the lives of 24 Israelis and injured over 500 people. On the other side, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran, according to Iranian officials.

Previously, Iran has claimed to shoot down Israeli aircraft, though those claims lacked evidence. However, several Hermes drones were lost in earlier conflicts, particularly against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

As tensions remain high, this downing of the Hermes 900 highlights the ongoing risks of Israel’s bold aerial campaign over hostile territory and signals that despite significant Israeli successes in dismantling Iranian defenses, challenges remain in maintaining complete air superiority over Iran.

This conflict shows no signs of slowing down, with both nations locked in an intense and dangerous confrontation that has already drawn regional and international attention.