Fact Check: "Iran's air defense destroys Israel's Hermes 900 drone!"
What We Know
On June 18, 2025, Iranian state media reported that Iran's air defense successfully shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone over Isfahan Province. This incident is notable as it marks the first confirmed downing of an Israeli aircraft by Iranian forces since the beginning of the current conflict, which escalated with Israel's sustained air campaign dubbed Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025. The Iranian media provided footage showing wreckage that appears to match the distinctive shape and markings of the Hermes 900 drone, further asserting that the drone was equipped with weapons but did not have the opportunity to deploy them before being shot down (The Aviationist, Times of Israel).
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed the loss of the drone, stating that it was downed by a surface-to-air missile, and emphasized that there was no fear of sensitive information leaking as a result of the incident (JNS). The Hermes 900 is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV developed for tactical operations, capable of reconnaissance and surveillance missions (The Aviationist).
Analysis
The claim that Iran's air defense destroyed an Israeli Hermes 900 drone is supported by multiple credible sources. The Iranian state media's report was corroborated by the Israeli Air Force, which acknowledged the incident, thereby lending credibility to the assertion. The footage released by Iranian media showing the wreckage of the drone aligns with the known specifications of the Hermes 900, which is a well-documented UAV used by Israel for tactical operations (The Aviationist, Times of Israel).
However, it is essential to consider the potential biases of the sources involved. Iranian state media may have an incentive to exaggerate their military successes, while Israeli sources may downplay the implications of such incidents to maintain a narrative of air superiority. Nevertheless, the confirmation from the IAF and the detailed descriptions of the drone's capabilities and the circumstances surrounding its downing provide a robust basis for the claim's validity (JNS).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The evidence supports the claim that Iran's air defense successfully shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone. The incident has been confirmed by both Iranian and Israeli sources, with corroborating footage and details regarding the drone's specifications and the context of the operation. Despite potential biases in reporting, the alignment of multiple credible sources lends significant weight to the authenticity of the event.
