An American F-15 jet was purportedly seen chasing after an Iranian Shahed drone in Iraqi skies. A video shared widely on the Internet showed a jet trying to target a drone in the air as plumes of smoke emerged in the backdrop.
While some social media handles claimed that the US F-15 jet “failed” to shoot down the drone in northern Iraq, others said that the drone later struck in Erbil.
HT couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the clip.
The video surfaced amid heightened escalation fears in the ongoing Iran-US war.
Shahed drones are low-cost Iranian weapons reportedly used a lot in the ongoing war with Israel and the US. These drones, which have played a big role for Iran in the war, are easier to deploy but difficult to destroy on the ground.
{{/usCountry}}Shahed drones are low-cost Iranian weapons reportedly used a lot in the ongoing war with Israel and the US. These drones, which have played a big role for Iran in the war, are easier to deploy but difficult to destroy on the ground.
{{/usCountry}}According to an earlier Financial Times report, these drones cost much less than the missiles the US defence systems are built to engage, and they run on motorcycle engines and carry warheads weighing between 25-50kg.
The US F-15 jets also drew focus recently after Iran claimed to have shot one of them down in the country's southern coast and near Hormuz Island. The advanced F-15 fighter jet was struck using Iranian air defense force's ground-to-air systems, Iran's Fars News reported.
However, the US CENTCOM later denied these claims saying no US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran.
US-Iran war rages on
The viral clip surfaces amid a raging war between Iran and the US, with hopes for peace dampened after US President Donald Trump's prime time address on the matter, in which he issued fresh threats to Iran.
The President said that US forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks but offered no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets. "We are going to finish the job, and we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close," he said.
In response, Iran has also vowed “more crushing” attacks against the US and Israel. "With trust in Almighty God, this war will continue until your humiliation, disgrace, permanent and certain regret, and surrender," said the military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya in a statement carried by state TV.
The war was triggered by a surprise attack by the US and Israel on Iran last month which also led to the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.