Su-25 Aircraft Were Unable To Hit The Predator Aircraft

Iranian Air Force fighter jets reportedly took a shot at a U.S. Predator drone flying over the Persian Gulf on November 1st, but were unable to hit the UAV. The Predator was on a routine surveillance mission in international airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said during a news conference.

"Our aircraft was never in Iranian airspace. It was always flying in international air space. The recognized limit is 12 nautical miles off the coast, and we never entered the 12 nautical mile limit," Little said.

CNN reports that Little said this is the first time an unmanned aircraft has been targeted by Iranians in international waters over the Gulf. While he did not call the incident an act of war, there is said to be "concern" on the part of the Pentagon.

The Su-25s reportedly fired at least two cannon bursts at the UAS, causing the Predator's operators to turn away from the hostile aircraft. The Iranians reportedly chased the drone before breaking off and returning to Iran. The airplanes were reportedly part of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which is considered more aggressive than the country's regular forces.

The incident was not disclosed before the election. Reuters reports that Iran's Fars news agency quoted General Massoud Jazayeri, a senior armed forces commander, as saying "The defenders of the Islamic Republic will respond decisively to any form of encroachment by air, sea or on the ground." Iran said the attack was a "warning" to the U.S. that it would not tolerate "foreign encroachment" into its airspace.

(USAF Predator pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.defense.gov