Iran Displays Wreckage of Israeli Drones in Tehran to Mark 'Absolute Victory'
In a defiant show of power, Iran displays wreckage of Israeli drones shot down during 2025’s “12-Day War” at Tehran’s Azadi Square. Amid the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the regime showcases these “war trophies” alongside its most lethal ballistic missiles.
In a major public display of military defiance, Iran showcased the wreckage of several Israeli Air Force (IAF) drones in the heart of the capital today. The exhibit, held at Azadi Square, coincided with mass rallies marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
The debris is being presented by the Iranian regime as trophies from the 12-Day War, the direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran that broke out in June 2025.
According to Iranian state media and military officials, the wreckage belongs to advanced Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) shot down by domestic air defense systems during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion. Specific models identified in the display and through state-aligned reports include:
The display serves as a central pillar of the regime’s narrative of Absolute Victory, framing the 2025 conflict as a successful defense against a coordinated Israeli and U.S. offensive.
Alongside the drone fragments, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) showcased a formidable array of its own weaponry, signaling continued readiness despite the damage sustained during the summer conflict. The parade featured:
The 12-Day War (June 2025)
The war, which began on June 13, 2025, saw Israel launch large-scale preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. While the strikes caused significant damage, Iran retaliated with massive waves of missiles and drones.
Today's celebrations occur at a volatile moment. While President Masoud Pezeshkian used the anniversary to claim Iran is open to nuclear inspections, the display of military hardware, and the presence of anti-government protesters in some neighborhoods, highlights the deep internal and external pressures facing the Islamic Republic.