20°c A few clouds
25°c Chance of thundershowers
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Iran airs images allegedly extracted from captured U.S. drone
This undated image taken from video broadcast on Iranian state television purports to show a U.S. drone landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Iran's state TV has broadcast footage on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, allegedly extracted from the advanced CIA spy drone captured in 2011, the latest in a flurry of moves from Iranian authorities meant to underline the nation's purported military and technological advances. (AP Photo/Iranian state TV via AP video)
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's state TV has broadcast footage allegedly extracted from the advanced CIA spy drone captured in 2011, the latest in a flurry of moves from Iranian authorities meant to underline the country's purported military and technological advances.
Iran has long claimed it managed to reverse-engineer the RQ-170 Sentinel, seized in December 2011 after it entered Iranian airspace from its eastern border with Afghanistan, and that it's capable of launching its own production line for the unmanned aircraft.
After initially saying only that a drone had been lost near the Afghan-Iran border, American officials eventually confirmed the Sentinel had been monitoring Iran's military and nuclear facilities. Washington asked for it back but Iran refused, and instead released photos of Iranian officials studying the aircraft.
The video aired late Wednesday on Iranian TV shows an aerial view of an airport and a city, said to be a U.S. drone base and Kandahar, Afghanistan. The TV also showed images purported to be the Sentinel landing at a base in eastern Iran but it was unclear if that footage meant to depict the moment of the drone's seizure.
In addition, the TV showed images of an Iranian helicopter transporting the drone, as well as its disassembled parts being carried on a trailer.
In another part of the video, the chief of the Revolutionary Guard's airspace division, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said that only after capturing the drone, Iran realized it "belongs to the CIA."
"We were able to definitively access the data of the drone, once we brought it down," said Hajizadeh.
He described the Sentinel's capture as a huge scoop for Iran, saying that at the time, Tehran did not rule out a possible punitive U.S. air strike over the drone.
Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of stepping up its espionage activities against Iran as part of intensified western efforts to force Tehran to abandon its uranium enrichment program, a key aspect of its disputed nuclear program. The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran may be trying to develop atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
In an attempt to embarrass Washington, Iran has claimed to have captured several American drones, most recently in December, when Tehran said it seized a Boeing-designed ScanEagle drone — a less sophisticated aircraft — after it entered Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf.
U.S. officials said there was no evidence that the latest claims were true.
The latest Sentinel footage came as the U.S. tightened sanctions to pressure the Iranian government to limit its nuclear program and restrictions on institutions that Washington says are stifling political dissent and censoring speech.
Among the expanded measures announced Monday by the Treasury Department is a move to deny Iran access to revenue garnered from its oil exports. Under the latest sanctions, Iran would only be able to use revenue from its oil sales in a country that purchased its crude — now mostly big Asian economies such as China and India — which would significantly limit its access to the money.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 50 articles for this year)
Harper assailed for cutting Elections Canada budget despite vote problems
05/1/2013 5:40 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- PM Harper, Justin Trudeau shoot blanks in first parliamentary duel
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- American who shipped grey wolf pelt to Alberta hunting "buddy" pleads guilty
- Canadian submarine HMCS Windsor slowly lowered into Halifax harbour
- Ryerson officials say no punishment planned after apparent hazing ritual on ice
- Prince Philip presented with Order of Canada during royal visit to Toronto
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- Nova Scotia signs deal with Ottawa to declare Sable Island a national park
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- American-US Airways merger could jeopardize major hub airports, as mega airline consolidates
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- CGI establishes Ottawa centre focused on cyber security for businesses
- Canadian submarine HMCS Windsor slowly lowered into Halifax harbour
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- PM Harper, Justin Trudeau shoot blanks in first parliamentary duel
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Harper government has no plans to sell Via Rail: Transport spokesman
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Ten years after 9-11, Canada-U.S. relationship has both trouble spots and bright spots
- US couple flees house infested with garter snakes, describe living in a 'horror movie'
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.