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Iran Warns U.S. It Will Act Firmly if Airspace Violated
[An Nahar] Iran warned on Sunday it will react strongly against any U.S. intrusion into its airspace after two of its warplanes fired at an American drone 10 days ago, the ISNA news agency reported.

"Yes, we opened fire, and it was with warning shots. If they do it again they can expect an even stronger response," the agency quoted General Amir-Ali Hadjizadeh, head of the elite Revolutionary Guards air and space forces, as saying.

Pentagon front man George Little said on Thursday the Iranian Su-25 Frogfoot fighters fired at the robotic Predator drone on November 1 but did not hit it.

"They intercepted the aircraft and fired multiple rounds," he said.

The American drone was "never in Iranian airspace" and came under fire from the fighter jets off the Iranian coast over international waters, Little said.

In a warning to Tehran, the Pentagon front man said the United States was prepared to safeguard its forces.

"We have a wide range of options, from diplomatic to military, to protect our military assets and our forces in the region and will do so when necessary," Little said.

Posted by: Fred 2012-11-12
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=355843