Report: Unmanned U.S. Plane Shot Down in Iran

By National Journal Staff

Updated: December 4, 2011 | 4:56 p.m.
December 4, 2011 | 11:04 a.m.

Iranian armed forces have shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane that illegally crossed the country's eastern border, a semiofficial Iranian news agency reported on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

The RQ170 type drone is now in the possession of the Iranian military, according to the report.

"Iran is locked in a dispute with the U.S. and its allies over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, which the West believes is aimed at the development of nuclear weapons. Iran denies the accusations, saying its nuclear program is entirely peaceful," the AP reported.

A U.S. military spokesperson said that a UAV lost contact with operators earlier this week in Western Afghanistan but would not specify the type.

The White House declined to comment but officials did not seem unduly alarmed, suggesting that the drone's capture would not provide Iran with significant information about U.S. surveillance technology and techniques. A U.S. military spokesperson said that a UAV lost contact with operators earlier this week in Western Afghanistan but would not specify the type.The White House declined to comment but officials did not seem unduly alarmed, suggesting that the drone's capture would not provide Iran with significant information about U.S. surveillance technology and techniques.

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