Iran's south-east air defence region has shot down an Israeli Orbiter reconnaissance drone over Hormozgan province, Iranian news agency Mehr reported on May 24.

The incident comes as US-Iran negotiations over a ceasefire extension and Strait of Hormuz arrangements continue through Pakistani mediation, with both sides reporting progress on a framework deal in recent days.

Air defence units based in Bandar Abbas downed the drone, which Iranian authorities described as having intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance functions. The wreckage was recovered with assistance from the Hormozgan coast guard fleet.

Iranian officials said the Orbiter drone had radar-evading capabilities and was destroyed using a specialised system whose technical specifications they declined to disclose.

Officials at the south-east operational air defence region said the system was capable of detecting and engaging any stealth drone attempting to penetrate airspace over the Persian Gulf, its islands and the broader southern and south-east region of the country.

Israel has been working closely with the United Arab Emirates in recent months, despite Abu Dhabi later denying the claim from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had flown in to meet with top officials during the peak of the war in March. 

IntelliNews could not independently verify the claim. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have not commented in what could be a potential strike by either party.

The Orbiter is an Israeli-made tactical unmanned aerial vehicle produced by Aeronautics Defence Systems, used primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance.

The drone's reported presence over Hormozgan, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, would place it in one of the most strategically sensitive stretches of Iranian airspace during the ongoing ceasefire period.