Pentagon: Iranian plane pursued US spy drone

March 14, 2013 @ 2:02 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) - An Iranian fighter jet approached a U.S. surveillance drone over the Persian Gulf but broke off its pursuit after the pilot of a U.S. escort plane radioed a verbal warning, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Pentagon press secretary George Little said the incident occurred Tuesday and that the unarmed MQ-1 Predator surveillance drone as well as two U.S. military escort planes remained over international waters at all times.

Little said the drone was conducting a "routine classified" surveillance mission.

He said the Iranian F-4 plane came as close as 16 miles to the drone before it departed.

Little initially said that a U.S. escort plane discharged a flare to warn the Iranian pilot, but he later retracted that statement, saying instead that the Iranian plane broke off its pursuit after receiving a U.S. "verbal warning."

Lt. Col. Wesley Miller, a Pentagon spokesman, said he could not explain where the Pentagon got the incorrect information about a flare. Miller also said he could not say how close the U.S. planes came to Iranian territorial waters.

In November an Iranian fighter fired upon, but did not hit, an unarmed Predator over the Gulf. In the aftermath of that incident, the U.S. told the Iranians that it would continue to conduct surveillance flights "consistent with long-standing practice and our commitment to the security of the region," Little said.

"We also communicated that we reserve the right to protect our military assets as well as our forces and will continue to do so going forward," he added.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More National News
Top Stories

  • Our Dirty Wars
    Director and investigator Jeremy Scahill is at SIFF talking about a myth surrounding Obama

  • Dollars Per Student
    Washington spending per student is below the national average

  • Coming Together
    If you came home to nothing but the concrete slab - what would you do?
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • messiah101 wrote...
    Hmmm I wonder
    October 18, 2012 11:19 am
    If this is part of a US scheme to say Iran is harboring Al Qaeda members and another reason we would use to attack Iran.From what I have read in the past the Iranians have no love for Al Qaeda so allowing these guys to have residence in Iran doesn't make any sense
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    What would romney do?
    October 20, 2012 7:15 pm
    If mitt met with whatshisname, eyes too close together, we would probably be at war within a month. romney is a one term Gov. of Mass. No experience at all in foreign policy, probably doesn't know where Iran is on the map. He is NOT the person we want to be the representative of our country. He won't win, that's a given, but he has convinced enough wealthy people in this country that he's their man......I wonder why? All his donors are pizza guys, casino owners, what does that tell you about his integrity? Doesn't impress me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Bomb Baby Bomb - the GOP way - . . . .
    October 21, 2012 3:56 am
    people can't get killed if you have talks with them right Mr Flip Flopper? http://youtu.be/BpiDZWo4vQQ The last GOP Clown on Iran http://youtu.be/awY0XznyPTc
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Can't wait to hear...
    March 5, 2013 2:51 pm
    Obama's term for "Weapons of Mass Destruction."

    Will it be, "Unauthorized Thermonuclear Assault Fireworks Devices?"

    Or, how about, "Bad Carbon Footprint Mushroom Clouds?"

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    WMD's ?
    March 5, 2013 5:11 pm
    lets roll!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }