The United States Central Command has officially dismissed assertions from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding the alleged downing of an American fighter jet near Qeshm Island.

In a direct rebuttal issued via social media, CENTCOM confirmed that all United States aircraft remain fully accounted for, effectively labelling the Iranian report as a fabrication.

The military command further noted that this is not an isolated incident, highlighting that the IRGC has made similar unsubstantiated claims on at least six occasions in recent history. This swift denial seeks to maintain a clear narrative of operational integrity amidst a period of heightened friction in the strategic waters of the Persian Gulf.

The initial claim, broadcast by Iranian state media and reported by Al Jazeera, suggested that Iranian aerial defence units had successfully intercepted and neutralised an "enemy" aircraft. According to the IRGC's account, the jet was struck over the Strait of Hormuz before crashing into the sea between the islands of Hengam and Qeshm.

Beyond the military dispute, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has shifted the rhetorical focus toward the targeting of civilian infrastructure.

He asserted that United States-supported actions against non-military sites, such as unfinished bridges, would fail to break the resolve of the Iranian people or alter the nation's strategic direction.

Araghchi characterised these strikes not as a show of force, but as a symptom of "moral collapse" and strategic disarray within the opposing forces. He argued that the destruction of public works only serves to damage the international reputation of the United States while hardening Iranian resistance.

The Foreign Minister also issued a pointed warning to the Trump administration regarding the potential for wider regional destabilisation. By drawing a comparison to the "Stone Age," Araghchi hinted at the catastrophic global economic fallout that would occur if Middle Eastern oil and gas exports were interrupted by continued escalation.

Tehran continues to frame its position as one of defensive necessity, maintaining that it seeks regional stability while remaining prepared to protect its sovereignty. The latest exchange underscores a volatile environment where information warfare and economic threats are as prevalent as the physical military manoeuvres in the Gulf.

ANI