Iran confronts US drone over Persian Gulf
March 15, 2013  01:27
On CNN: Iranian military aircraft targeted a US Predator drone over the Persian Gulf this week, administration officials said. It was the latest in Iranian efforts to thwart the U.S. military's airborne intelligence collections efforts in the region.

Three administration officials have separately confirmed details of the incident, although the Pentagon has not publicly acknowledged it.

The drone was flying in international airspace off Oman when Iran detected it and launched its own manned aircraft, according to the officials who have direct knowledge of the incident. The Iranian planes then shadowed the drone, which eventually left the area. No shots were fired. However, the officials said the US is concerned about Iranian intentions in incidents like this and whether it could unintentionally trigger hostility.

"They have done this before. We are fully prepared to defend our aircraft. We were definitely in international airspace," one of the officials said.
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