Iran and US trade claims after drone shot down in Arabian Sea

A drone belonging to Iran’s armed forces completed a “surveillance mission” in international waters Tuesday, Iranian media reported, shortly after the US military said it had shot down an Iranian aircraft that “aggressively approached” an aircraft carrier.

Citing unnamed sources, the Fars news agency reported that the drone “successfully” monitored military



movements in areas adjacent to Iran and transmitted data to ground bases in real time. The report described such missions as vital for the “overall monitoring” of the region.

Iran’s semi-official news agency quoted an informed source as saying that Iran lost connection to one of its drones, the cause of which is under investigation and will be announced after it is determined.