On The Third Hand

U.S. Uses Drones to Probe Iran For Arms

The Bush administration has been flying surveillance drones over Iran for nearly a year to seek evidence of nuclear weapons programs and detect weaknesses in air defenses, according to three U.S. officials with detailed knowledge of the secret effort.

The small, pilotless planes, penetrating Iranian airspace from U.S. military facilities in Iraq, use radar, video, still photography and air filters designed to pick up traces of nuclear activity to gather information that is not accessible by satellites, the officials said. The aerial espionage is standard in military preparations for an eventual air attack and is also employed as a tool for intimidation.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States, concerned Iran is covertly developing nuclear arms, has no plans to attack “at this time.” (Geert Vanden Wijngaert – AP)

The Iranian government, using Swiss channels in the absence of diplomatic relations with Washington, formally protested the incursions as illegal, according to Iranian, European and U.S. officials, all speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A U.S. official acknowledged that drones were being used but said the Iranian complaint focused on aircraft overflights by the Pentagon. The United States, the official said, replied with a denial that manned U.S. aircraft had crossed Iran’s borders. The drones were first spotted by dozens of Iranian civilians and set off a national newspaper frenzy in late December over whether the country was being visited by UFOs.

Actually, I recall reading about a minor frenzy right after the Bam earthquake, which I suspect was caused by the same (alleged by anonymous sources and Iranian government) drones. I hope this report is correct, since I think we would be very stupid not to be spying on the Iranian government’s activities, considering its attempted interference in Iraq, its support for terrorists and its undying hatred of the ‘Great Satan’ (Khomenei being the person that coined that term). But, as always, I wonder if it’s a leak or if it’s psyops.