Iran intercepts U.S. spy plane amid continued state of maximum alert

19th March 2025

3 minutes read

Iran intercepts U.S. spy plane amid continued state of maximum alert

An Iranian military source confirmed that the drone took off from a base in Saudi Arabia, adding that the army and the Revolutionary Guard had ordered all missile forces to be on maximum alert.

The Iranian Air Force announced on Monday that an American spy drone withdrew from near Iranian airspace after being intercepted by Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, according to what was confirmed by the Noor News website amid unprecedented tensions between Washington and Tehran and in a state of maximum readiness by the Iranian army.

The website stated that the Iranian armed forces remain on maximum alert, ready for a “comprehensive defense and a fierce counterattack on enemy interests in the Middle East.”

An Iranian military source revealed that an American spy plane of the “MK” model took off from a base in Saudi Arabia after its radio and satellite signals were cut off. The source added that the joint operations room of the Iranian naval forces and the Revolutionary Guard had closely monitored the plane’s course since its takeoff, in a full state of readiness to respond to any potential violation of Iranian airspace.

He emphasized that “the army and the Revolutionary Guard have ordered all missile forces to remain on maximum alert.”

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the Houthi group allied with it in Yemen, while his administration expanded the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since his return to the White House.

Two days ago, an Iranian military source confirmed the elevation of maximum alert in the naval and missile units in the southern part of the country, following an emergency meeting held by senior Iranian military officials at the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in coordination with leaders from the Revolutionary Guard and the army.

Iran informed the United Nations Security Council of its rejection of the accusations and threats made by the U.S. president regarding Yemen, warning that “any aggressive action against Tehran would have severe consequences.”

Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, expressed on Monday, in a letter to the Security Council, his country’s rejection and strong condemnation of the “reckless and provocative” statements made by Trump and U.S. officials against Tehran, according to the Iranian official news agency “IRNA.” He added that “any aggressive act would have severe consequences, and the United States would bear full responsibility for it.”

He also emphasized that the accusations regarding Tehran supplying the Houthis with weapons were “false,” and that the Yemenis make their decisions and act independently.

In this context, the Iranian official stated that U.S. and British attacks on Yemen “constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty” of this country and its territorial integrity, threatening peace and stability. He called on the Security Council to take the necessary measures against these U.S. aggressions and threats.

Israel, for its part, has issued continuous threats in recent years to target Iranian nuclear facilities, considering that Iran’s nuclear program poses a direct threat to its security. On several occasions, Israeli officials have announced their readiness to carry out military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities if necessary, stressing that all options are open if diplomatic efforts fail to prevent Tehran from developing its nuclear capabilities.

The Israeli Prime Minister has stated on several international occasions that Israel will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons and will take the necessary actions to ensure that this scenario does not occur. In the face of these threats, Tehran is strengthening its military defenses, especially at sensitive sites related to its nuclear program, which contributes to increasing tensions in the region.