Tehran Iran said it would deal decisively with any foreign encroachment into its airspace, an apparent warning to the United States after one of its surveillance drones was targeted by Iranian warplanes last week.
Region | Iran
Iran issues warning after targeting US drone
Defenders will respond decisively to any form of encroachment, says General
- Reuters & AFP
- Published: 19:10 November 9, 2012
US officials said the unarmed Predator drone was in international airspace when Iranian warplanes opened fire on it on November 1. The aircraft was not hit. Iran’s defence minister Ahmad Vahidi confirmed on Friday that two Iranian fighter jets fired on an unarmed US Predator drone in the Gulf.
The intercept was the first time Tehran had fired at an unmanned US aircraft in their 33 year stand-off.
“The defenders of the Islamic Republic will respond decisively to any form of encroachment by air, sea or on the ground,” Fars news agency quoted General Massoud Jazayeri, a senior armed forces commander, as saying on Friday.
“If any foreign aircraft attempts to enter our airspace our armed forces will deal with them,” he said. Jazayeri did not mention the drone incident specifically.
See also A10
News Editor's choice
-
Call to extend maternity leave in Qatar
‘Give mothers up to one year to bid to improve breastfeeding practices‘
-
Twisters, tornados and hail lash Oklahoma
One person killed, 21 injured after swirling winds strike Iowa and Kansas
-
Asia-Pacific leaders in water conflict warning
Delegates pledge to build regional resilience to natural disasters