Iran has claimed that its forces intercepted and destroyed a United States drone near the coastal province of Bushehr, according to reports by Iranian state-affiliated media.

The semi-official Tasnim News Agency quoted a military source as saying the drone was intercepted after explosions were heard from the seaside area.

Authorities in Jam County, located in Bushehr province, also confirmed that a “hostile aircraft” had been destroyed while assuring that the situation in the region remained normal.

Bushehr is considered a strategically important location as it is home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant.

The reported incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and increasing military activity in the region.