Tensions Still High Over Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

U.S. reconnaissance aircraft were reportedly warned off from approaching an area in which the Iranian Navy was conducting operational war games, according the quasi-official Iranian News Agency Fars.

"A U.S. reconnaissance aircraft which had intended to approach our operational war games left ... upon the timely warning of our air defence forces," Fars quoted armed forces commander Ataollah Salehi as saying.

Reuters reports that the incident, which happened Monday, occurred during a planned 8 day exercise in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The Iranians reportedly are testing surface-to-sea missiles as part of the war games.

The U.S. had no immediate comment about the claim, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates said recently that Iran was attempting to challenge U.S. Naval power in the Gulf with a variety of offensive and defensive weapons.

The maneuvers come while tensions rise over Tehran's continued uranium enrichment efforts, which the government claims is solely for the generation of electricity. The U.S. is currently lobbying for another round of U.N. sanctions because Tehran refuses to discontinue the program, which is says will lead to Iran's development of nuclear weapons.

FMI: www.dod.mil