Watch an Iranian Drone Monitor a U.S. Aircraft Carrier

Iran claims to have flown a drone over a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Screen Shot 2016-01-29 at 1.55.55 PM
Screen Shot 2016-01-29 at 1.55.55 PM

Tehran has made all too clear it’s uncomfortable with American ships sailing too close to its territorial waters, most famously this month when 10 U.S. sailors who appear to have strayed off course were held at gunpoint by Iranian security forces. But Tehran seems to have doubled down, according to video released Friday of footage taken by an Iranian surveillance drone flying over a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

Tehran has made all too clear it’s uncomfortable with American ships sailing too close to its territorial waters, most famously this month when 10 U.S. sailors who appear to have strayed off course were held at gunpoint by Iranian security forces. But Tehran seems to have doubled down, according to video released Friday of footage taken by an Iranian surveillance drone flying over a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

According to Fars News Agency, the drone was deployed as part of a naval exercise this month, and an Iranian submarine was also sent to monitor the U.S. vessel, even though it was not in Iranian waters.

“The Iranian submarine managed to take clear pictures of the aircraft carrier without catching the attention of the staff on board,” Fars reported.

U.S. Navy 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Kevin Stephens, who is based in Bahrain, said he was aware an unarmed drone flew over a French aircraft carrier and the USS Harry S. Truman on Jan. 12. Fars did not offer a date for when the newly released footage was filmed, and Stephens was unable to confirm whether the video was shot that day.

Photo Credit: Screenshot

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