Iran: US spy planes flying over nuclear sites

The US has been flying unmanned spy planes over Iran’s nuclear sites, Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi said today.

“Most of the shining objects that our people see over Iran’s airspace are American spying equipment used to spy on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities,” he said.

His remarks confirmed a report in The Washington Post that quoted unnamed US officials as saying the drones have been flying over Iran for nearly a year to seek evidence of nuclear weapons programmes.

“US spying activities over Iranian airspace have been going since a long time ago,” Yunesi said.

The Iranian air force was ordered in December to shoot down any unknown or suspicious flying objects in Iran’s airspace.

At the time, there were reports in Iranian newspapers that Iran had discovered spying devices in the drones that its air defence force had shot down.

“If any of the bright objects come close, they will definitely meet our fire. We possess the necessary equipment to confront them,” Yunesi said.

Iranian media has been gripped by a kind of “flying object” fever with dozens of reported sightings in recent weeks.

State-run media has reported numerous sightings of unknown objects flying over parts of Iran where nuclear facilities are located.

The Washington Post reported US officials as saying the drones have been flying over Iran from US military bases in Iraq and are equipped with air filters designed to pick up traces of nuclear activity.