FIRST ON CNN: Iranian jets fire on U.S. drone By Barbara Starr
Two Iranian Su-25 fighter jets fired on an unarmed U.S. Air Force Predator drone in the Persian Gulf last week, CNN has learned.
The incident raises fresh concerns within the Obama administration about Iranian military aggression in crucial Gulf oil shipping lanes.
The drone was in international airspace east of Kuwait, U.S. officials said, adding it was engaged in routine maritime surveillance.
Although the drone was not hit, the Pentagon is concerned.
Two U.S. officials explained the jets were part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps force, which has been more confrontational than regular Iranian military forces.
The Obama administration did not disclose the incident, which occurred just days before the presidential election on November 1, but three senior officials confirmed the details to CNN. The officials declined to be identified because of sensitive intelligence matters surrounding the matter.
The drone's still and video cameras captured the incident showing two SU-25s approaching the Predator and firing its onboard guns.
The Iranian pilots continued to fire shots that went beneath the Predator but were never successful in hitting it, according to the officials.
U.S. military intelligence analysts are still not sure if the Iranian pilots simply were unable to hit the drone due to lack of combat skill, or whether they deliberately were missing and had no intention of bringing down the drone. But as one of the officials said, "it doesn't matter, they fired on us."
The official confirmed the United States protested the incident but has not heard back from Iran.
Iran has, at times, been confrontational in the region. In January, the U.S. military and coast guard had close encounters with Iranian Navy vessels which approached at high speeds and exhibited provocative behavior.
Two SU25 Fighters, with a top speed of 560MPH, couldn't manage to hit one 300 MPH Predator drone. Iranian Pilots Suck!
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Two SU25 Fighters, with a top speed of 560MPH, couldn't manage to hit one 300 MPH Predator drone. Iranian Pilots Suck!
The Iranians don't have the experience like the Americans who have been bombing and pillaging for a good portion of the 20th century and so far the whole 21st century. The Iranian population has a much better restraint on their government when it comes to taking their nation to war.
Two SU25 Fighters, with a top speed of 560MPH, couldn't manage to hit one 300 MPH Predator drone. Iranian Pilots Suck!
The SU-25 is a ground attack aircraft, and is totally NOT an interceptor in any way, shape, or form. The Iranian pilots probably caught sight of it and figured it would be kinda cool to pop off some 30mm rounds at it.
I'll bet they didn't even think they could hit it
"Approval ratings go up and down for various reasons... An example is the high post 911 support for GWB even though he could be said to be responsible for the event." --- Box A Rox '9/11 Truther'
Melania is a bimbo... she is there to look at, not to listen to. --- Box A Rox and his 'War on Women'
The Iranians don't have the experience like the Americans who have been bombing and pillaging for a good portion of the 20th century and so far the whole 21st century. The Iranian population has a much better restraint on their government when it comes to taking their nation to war.
Yea what do the Iranians know about war in the 20th century... they're just rookies!
In their 8 year war with Iraq, Iran lost: ~ 320,000–720,000 soldiers and militia killed (Some sources think it's more like 1 million) ~ 100,000+ civilians killed. ~ 60,711 MIA ~ Economic loss of more than US$500 billion
(It appears that the Iranians have about as much control of their govt as the Americans do.)
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Yea what do the Iranians know about war in the 20th century... they're just rookies!
In their 8 year war with Iraq, Iran lost: ~ 320,000–720,000 soldiers and militia killed (Some sources think it's more like 1 million) ~ 100,000+ civilians killed. ~ 60,711 MIA ~ Economic loss of more than US$500 billion
(It appears that the Iranians have about as much control of their govt as the Americans do.)
Iraq invaded Iran, it was a defensive war fought on Iranian soil. Where was the US to protect those poor Iranian people? I guess we cared about the South Vietnamese more than Iranians.
When was that Vietnamese invasion of the US? Or the Iraq, Afghani, Libyan, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistani, or Bosnian invasion of the US?
Reports say that the drone was shot upon in international waters, and I would have no problem accepting that.
Predator UAV are slow, not very stealthy to radar, and can only operate up to around 26k feet. It would be real stupid to fly this craft over Iranian territory where it can very easily be taken down by a SAM.
"Approval ratings go up and down for various reasons... An example is the high post 911 support for GWB even though he could be said to be responsible for the event." --- Box A Rox '9/11 Truther'
Melania is a bimbo... she is there to look at, not to listen to. --- Box A Rox and his 'War on Women'
Reports say that the drone was shot upon in international waters, and I would have no problem accepting that.
Predator UAV are slow, not very stealthy to radar, and can only operate up to around 26k feet. It would be real stupid to fly this craft over Iranian territory where it can very easily be taken down by a SAM.
But why?
It is clearly an act of provocation and aggression.
Some jackass drone operator probably said watch me piss these guys off.
The Persian Gulf is barely wide enough to consider any of it international waters.
How is parking aircraft carriers and spy planes at the edges of Iran not supposed to be taken as a threat?
The Russian sub was 275 miles away and the US panicked.
Iraq invaded Iran, it was a defensive war fought on Iranian soil. Where was the US to protect those poor Iranian people? I guess we cared about the South Vietnamese more than Iranians.
When was that Vietnamese invasion of the US? Or the Iraq, Afghani, Libyan, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistani, or Bosnian invasion of the US?
Cic never paid attention to the FACTS, he just posts his opinion as if it were fact.
it was a defensive war fought on Iranian soil. ~The Iran Iraq war was fought on both Iraq and Iranian soil.
I guess we cared about the South Vietnamese more than Iranians. The US fought on the side of S Vietnam and sided with Saddam Hussein against Iran.
Where was the US to protect those poor Iranian people? ~The USA was giving Iraq Chemical Weapons, Air surveillance and tactical aid under Reagan.
Cic... if you actually read some history instead of posting your agenda, your posts would make more sense.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Just another bullcrap story to justify 'our eventual take over aka over throw' of that country too!
When did this happen......before or after the election? Another libyian cover up?
Don't know what the hell is the truth anymore!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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