US surveillance asset attacked in international airspace, not over Iran: Pentagon
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The BAMS-D drone was downed by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system while flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz, Pentagon spokesman said.
The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that Iranian forces shot down a US naval surveillance drone but insisted the aircraft was in international airspace, not that of Iran.
The BAMS-D drone was downed by an Iranian surface-to-air missile system while flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz, a US Central Command spokesman, Navy Captain Bill Urban, said in a statement. He said it happened at 2335 GMT Wednesday.
"Iranian reports that the aircraft was over Iran are false," he added. "This was an unprovoked attack on a US surveillance asset in international airspace."
Iran had said earlier that it had shot down the US drone flying over the southern region.
Iran's borders "represent our red line", the head of the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard warned after Tehran said it shot down a US drone over its waters on Thursday.
Iran will "respond to all foreign aggression and our reaction is, and will be, categorical and absolute."
The United States has blamed Iran for last week's tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman, a charge vehemently denied by the Islamic republic.
"Any such violations of Iran's borders are strongly condemned ... We warn of the consequences of such illegal and provocative measures," said ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.