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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iranian Fighter Tries to Intercept U.S. Drone in Gulf
2013-03-15
[An Nahar] An Iranian fighter jet tried to intercept a U.S. Predator drone over the Gulf but backed off after encountering two American military aircraft, the Pentagon said Thursday.

No shots were fired in the confrontation Wednesday, officials said, but the United States renewed a vow that it would protect its forces in the region.

The Pentagon initially said one of the U.S. aircraft discharged a flare as a warning to the Iranian plane but officials later said no flare was let off.

The incident, which the Pentagon said took place over "international waters," highlighted the tensions between the two arch-foes and the risks of an accidental clash escalating into a serious crisis.

At one point the Iranian F-4, an old U.S.-built warplane dating from the Vietnam War era, was within 16 miles (25 kilometers) of the unmanned Predator drone, spokesman George Little said.

The unarmed Predator, the workhorse of America's fleet of robotic planes, was carrying out "a routine classified surveillance flight" over the Gulf when it was approached by the Iranian warplane, he said in a statement.
Posted by:Fred

#6  See also DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [Jerusalem Post] IRAN BELIEVES CHANCES OF [US,Israeli = foreign] ATTACK ON IT ARE LOW.

AND

* SAME > IRAN SKIES ARE IMPERVIOUS TO INVASION.

As said times before, Iran will prefer or choose to stay on the strategic defensive AMAP ALAP - PC Anti-US rants aside, IMO it is unlikely to do anything serious to provoke a de facto US, Israeli, or US-led Coalition unilateral attack unless it is attacked first by same, andor the lives of Shia communities in Sunni-controlled Muslim nations are at high risk.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-03-15 23:41  

#5  "Iranian Fighter Idiot with Death Wish Tries to Intercept U.S. Drone in Gulf"

Fixed.
Posted by: Barbara   2013-03-15 18:02  

#4  Anyone know the province of that particular F4? It's a certified MIG killer. Hope it is safe somewhere.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-03-15 15:47  

#3  F - 4, Oldsmobile delta 1972 ...
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2013-03-15 07:30  

#2  Build to last.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-03-15 05:07  

#1  At one point the Iranian F-4, an old U.S.-built warplane dating from the Vietnam War era.....

but strangely still flying despite crippling sanctions.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-03-15 02:42  

00:00