WASHINGTON / TEHRAN: The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has flatly rejected claims made by Iranian state media alleging that a US aircraft was shot down near the coastal region of Bushehr. Characterizing the report as entirely “false,” US military officials confirmed that all American air assets remain safe and fully accounted for.
The flare-up comes at a highly sensitive moment, as both nations navigate intense diplomatic negotiations to formalize a 60-day ceasefire extension to halt a conflict that has destabilized the region for nearly three months.
Conflicting Reports from Jam Governorate
The dispute began early Friday morning when Iranian state television broadcasted reports asserting that a US aircraft had been intercepted and destroyed.
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The Iranian Claim: State media cited Masoud Tangestani, the governor of Iran’s Jam governorate in the Bushehr province, who claimed local forces had successfully targeted an American asset.
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The US Rebuttal: U.S. Central Command swiftly issued a public fact-check via its official X (formerly Twitter) account to dispel the rumors, stating unequivocally:
“No US aircraft were shot down. All US air assets are accounted for.”
High-Stakes Diplomatic Context
The military posturing intersects with delicate, high-level peace talks aimed at winding down an 80-day regional war. The conflict escalated dramatically on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, subsequently triggering a wave of Iranian retaliatory strikes across neighboring Arab nations.
Despite the immediate friction over the aircraft claim, diplomatic channels indicate that Washington and Tehran are on the verge of a significant breakthrough. According to US Vice President JD Vance, the two sides are “very close” to finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU). However, reports indicate that President Donald Trump has yet to officially sign off on the finalized text.
Framework of the Proposed MoU
The draft agreement outlines a comprehensive roadmap aimed at economic relief for Iran and strategic security guarantees for the West:
| Category | Key Proposed Terms |
| Maritime Security | Unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; Iran must clear all naval mines within 30 days, prompting the US to lift its ongoing naval blockade. |
| Nuclear Commitments | Iran will suspend its nuclear program and dispose of approximately 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, alongside structured negotiations concerning an additional 10 tonnes of lower-level nuclear material. |
| Financial Relief | Release of up to $20 billion of Iran’s $24 billion in frozen international bank assets, alongside Iranian demands for a $300 billion “reconstruction fund.” |
| Sanctions & Hostilities | A declaration ending war on all active fronts (including Lebanon), coupled with a US pledge freeze on any further economic sanctions while a final deal is brokered. |
