Iran Claims Downing US Drone Over Bandar Abbas

Iran's army said on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, that its air defenses destroyed a U.S. LUCAS drone over Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Tasnim. The claim has not been independently verified, and the U.S. military has not confirmed it. The report followed President Donald Trump's Saturday remarks after voting in Florida. "Do you really think I would tell you that? Maybe tomorrow... There's a possibility I will. There's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement," he said of possible strikes. He also said the U.S. "may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same," and that Strait of Hormuz management "will not be as before." Sources said CENTCOM strike options await White House approval after the Nov. 3 midterms and were presented to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A Pentagon official said the department develops options for the president but does not speculate on future operations. The U.S. has more than 50,000 service members and about 20 warships in the Middle East.