Iranian state television has reported that the country’s army air defence forces successfully intercepted and shot down an advanced Hermes drone early Wednesday morning in central Isfahan province.
According to a correspondent present at the site, the drone was taken down around 5:00am local time (02:30 BST) before it could deploy any weapons. He stated the incident highlights the efficiency of Iran’s early detection and rapid response systems.
The Hermes drone, believed to be of Israeli origin, was completely destroyed in the interception, with wreckage scattered across the area.
Since last Friday, Iran has launched more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reported.
Iran Army air defense shot down an advanced Israeli Hermes drone over eastern Isfahan.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) June 18, 2025
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Despite some damage, no people have been reported killed or injured in Israel from the latest overnight volleys of missiles from Iran.
Air defense batteries intercepted many projectiles over Tel Aviv and other population centres, but strikes still struck some 40 sites across the country.
Nearly 19,000 damage claims have been filed with the tax authority.
So far, 24 people have been killed and over 800 wounded in Israel, with more than 3,800 residents displaced from their homes. Iranian authorities say at least 224 people have died on their side since the exchanges began.
UAE waives overstay fines for Iranians stranded by airspace closures
The United Arab Emirates has announced an exemption on overstay fines for all Iranian citizens—residents and visitors alike—unable to return home due to regional airspace closures, state news agency WAM reported. The move comes as neighboring countries suspend flights amid the Israel–Iran hostilities, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across the Gulf. The waiver applies regardless of visa category and aims to ease the burden on those caught in the disruption.
