An Iranian F-4 fighter unsuccessfully tried this week to intercept an unarmed American MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft over international waters in the Arabian Gulf, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on Thursday. The incident occurred on March 12 when the Predator was conducting a routine surveillance flight and the Iranians sent the F-4 to intercept it. “The closest point of approach between these aircraft was approximately 16 miles,” said Little. The Iranian jet broke off the pursuit after a verbal warning from two US military aircraft escorting the Predator. “All US aircraft remained over international waters at all times,” said Little. Back in November, an Iranian Su-25 fired on a Predator that was also flying in international airspace above the gulf, but missed. The US government said at the time these surveillance missions would continue. (AFPS report by Jim Garamone)
The White House announced its United States Space Priorities Framework in a document released concurrently with Vice President Kamala Harris' first National Space Council meeting. Listed among five U.S. priorities is to “defend its national security interests from the growing scope and scale of space and counterspace threats.”