Gulf Tensions: Iran Unveils New Reconnaissance And Attack Drone

Iran on Sunday unveiled a jet-propelled drone dubbed the “Kian” and said is capable of finding and attacking targets far from the country’s borders with precision. “The unmanned aerial vehicle was designed, produced and tested by experts of the air defence force within about a year,” said the head of the force, Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard.

The drone comes in two models capable of “surveillance and reconnaissance missions and continuous flight for precision missions”, state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.

“This drone can undertake any drone missions we entrust it with... it can fly more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) and find its target with precision,” he said.

The newly launched UAV can carry different munitions and can climb to an altitude of 5,000 metres (15,000 feet), according to state television.

“This unmanned aircraft is capable of hitting targets far from the country’s borders and undertaking air defence from the enemy’s territory,” said Sabahifard.

Earlier, the UN atomic watchdog had said Iran is still in violation of limitations set by the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers. Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium still exceeds the amount allowed by the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action the International Atomic Energy Agency said. It said Iran continues to enrich uranium to 4.5 per cent, above the 3.67 per cent allowed. The IAEA says Iran has continued to permit its inspectors to monitor its nuclear facilities. 

Last year, US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of an international accord designed to curb Iran’s nuclear program and has reimposed sanctions on Iran in an effort to force it to renegotiate the agreement.

Tensions soared in the Gulf in June and July amid attacks on oil tankers, Iran’s downing of an unmanned US surveillance drone and after the US said it had downed an Iranian drone. Trump has said the attack against the US drone prompted him to order a military strike in response, only to call it off at the last minute.

HIGHLIGHTS