IRGC Blames Israel for Riyadh Embassy Attack Amid Damage Claims | F-15E jet shot down over Iran

Key Highlights

• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vehemently denied its involvement in a drone attack on the US embassy in Riyadh on March 3.
• The IRGC claims the assault was orchestrated by Israel, contradicting a Wall Street Journal report detailing extensive damage.
• Iran's air defence command asserts its forces have successfully downed over 160 enemy drones and multiple advanced fighter jets.

IRGC Rejects Role in Riyadh Embassy Attack, Blames Israel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a strong denial regarding its responsibility for a drone attack targeting the US embassy in Riyadh on March 3. In a statement, the Iranian military branch asserted that the incident “has absolutely nothing to do with the Iranian armed forces,” instead pointing to Israel as the perpetrator.

This denial follows a report published by the Wall Street Journal, which suggested the damage from the alleged Iranian attack was significantly more severe than Saudi authorities had publicly acknowledged. While the Saudi defence ministry initially described a limited fire and minor damage, the Journal reported that the blaze had, in fact, burned for hours, causing extensive destruction within the embassy compound.

The IRGC condemned the Journal’s report, claiming that “given the Israeli strategy in the region, it was certainly carried out by Zionists.” The statement further warned Muslim countries about the “Zionist regime’s sedition in the region,” urging neighbours to remain “vigilant against the American-Zionist movement’s seditious intent to destabilise and destroy the region.”

Iran's Air Defence Claims Extensive Successes Against Enemy Drones

In related developments, Iran's military command has declared significant successes in its air defence operations. Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of the Joint Headquarters of the National Air Defence, stated that Iranian soldiers are fully prepared to intercept “enemy fighter jets and drones.”

Elhami, in a statement carried by the IRNA news agency, highlighted the use of “modern indigenous methods and equipment” specifically designed to counter fifth-generation aircraft and advanced unmanned systems. He claimed Iranian air forces have already neutralized several advanced fighter jets, dozens of cruise missiles, and more than 160 drones, including specific models like the Hermes and Lucas unmanned aircraft.

The General attributed these successful interceptions to “tactics and the use of new equipment and innovations in defence systems,” which he suggested has created confusion among adversaries.

Spotlight on the US F-15E Fighter Jet

While Iran claims to have downed various enemy aircraft, including advanced fighter jets, understanding the capabilities of such systems provides context. The US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, for instance, is a prominent asset in modern air forces.

• The first model of the US F-15E Strike Eagle Fighter was delivered in 1988.
• It serves as a dual-role fighter jet, proficient in both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions.
• Each F-15E aircraft operates with a crew of two: a pilot and a weapons systems officer.
• Upon its initial release, each plane cost approximately $31 million, a figure that has risen substantially, with newer models now costing closer to $100 million.

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