Iran Refuses to Return U.S. Spy Drone

After an American drone was downed last week in Iran, the U.S. made the unrealistic request that Iranian authorities return the spy machine, and on Tuesday, that appeal was unsurprisingly rejected. What’s more, from the Iranian perspective, the U.S. government ought to focus on apologizing for “accidentally” flying under the radar into unauthorized territory, which is also not likely to happen. Here we have the makings of a diplomatic standoff.  —KA

Los Angeles Times:

“The U.S. spy drone is the Islamic Republic of Iran’s possession, and our country will decide what to do in this regard,” Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi was quoted as saying by the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency.

He accused the U.S. of acting in a “bullying way” rather than offering an apology to Iran and Afghanistan, where the aircraft was based.

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bbc.co.uk

As seen on TV: Iranian state television shows the U.S. drone downed last week in Iran.