Tehran, June 24 (V7N) — Iran’s air defense forces have shot down an Israeli surveillance drone over Tehran, just moments before a series of explosions rocked the Iranian capital, according to local media reports. Al Jazeera confirmed the report through Iranian news outlets.

The Iranian news agency Mehr reported that the downed drone was identified as an Israeli Hermes surveillance aircraft. Photos published by Mehr showed burnt debris scattered across a street in Tehran, with crowds of onlookers gathered at the scene.

Prominent Iranian outlets Tasnim and Fars News also released images of the drone’s wreckage, corroborating the incident.

As of now, Israeli authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the downing of their aircraft.

The event took place shortly after the expiration of a ceasefire deadline that Iran had set for Israel, demanding a halt to ongoing hostilities by 4 AM local time. With that deadline now passed, tensions in the region appear to be escalating rapidly.

The world’s attention remains fixed on the unfolding conflict, as fears of a broader regional war grow.

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