IRGC Claims MQ-9 Reaper Downed Over Persian Gulf, F-35 Fired Upon; Most Direct Iranian Kinetic Actions of Post-Ceasefire Period — Day 88

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on May 26, 2026 (Day 88) that it had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper surveillance/attack drone over the Persian Gulf — the most significant confirmed US aircraft loss since two F-35s were reportedly forced from Iranian airspace earlier in the conflict. The IRGC additionally claimed it had fired upon an F-35 fighter jet, forcing it out of what Iran characterizes as its air defense zone, and also claimed to have engaged an RQ-4 intelligence-collection drone. These represent the most direct Iranian kinetic military actions of the post-ceasefire period (since the April 8 ceasefire). Iran International confirmed the MQ-9 claim was circulated by official IRGC channels; the Jerusalem Post reported the F-35 incident. CENTCOM did not immediately confirm or deny the aircraft losses. The combined US strikes on IRGC positions and Iranian retaliation via drone intercept created the sharpest one-day military escalation since the April 8 ceasefire — raising immediate questions about whether the ceasefire framework had collapsed. The Soufan Center published an intelligence brief on Day 88 specifically analyzing the US-Iran framework accord as 'closing in' despite the military incidents, suggesting the intelligence community assessed diplomacy could survive the escalation.