TEHRAN – Iran’s military warned off two U.S. drones which overflew waters where it was holding naval war games near the strategic Strait of Hormuz this week, official reports said Tuesday.
The incident involved one MQ-9 Reaper drone and one RQ4+ Global Hawk.
“These aircraft (RQ-4 and MQ-9 U.S. drones) changed their route after approaching the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the air defense’s interception and decisive warning,” national broadcaster IRIB reported.
The Zolfiqar-1400 war games began on Sunday and wrapped up Tuesday with a parade of warships, including submarines.
The exercise extended over an area of more than a million square kilometers (around 400,000 square miles) in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean beyond.
The maneuvers began just days after Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had thwarted a U.S. attempt to steal a tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Sea of Oman.
The incident followed a series of attacks on shipping in the sea lanes serving the Persian Gulf, where a large portion of the world’s oil is produced.
The chief commander of Iran’s Army on Tuesday reassured neighboring countries that its military exercises are for defensive purposes, warning, however, that a response to the enemies will go beyond the country’s borders if they endanger the Islamic Republic’s interests.
Asked whether Iran’s boosting of its military capability poses a threat to neighboring countries, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi replied, “It is not like that at all. Our history shows that we have never been people of aggression and invasion. Our efforts and exercises are all aimed at defending our ideals and our country.”

“But make no mistake; the enemies should know that if they threaten our interests, our response will not be limited to the borders. If they threaten our interests, we threaten their interests wherever necessary,” he told reporters.
On the contrary, he continued, “we bring security to regional countries and our brothers.”
Mousavi also hailed Zolfaqar-1400 drills as “one of the most successful joint exercises of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army,” which involved the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense.
He added that the most prominent features of the drills included upgrading command and control systems, improving the quality and quantity of drones, and using smart bullets as well as successful evaluation of systems, tactics, methods, trainings and communications, and excellent coordination and synergy between the four branches of the Iranian Army.
“Naturally, the main result of any

exercise and training is to increase the combat readiness, dominance, and mastery of all participants regarding the mission,” he said.
The Army chief stressed that the self-reliant Iranian nation and Armed Forces are capable of defending the country’s territorial integrity.
He predicted that the United States and Europe would not be able to form a coalition in the region.
“These countries are themselves the source of terrorism and insecurity. Wherever they set foot in the world, they [first] turned it into an insecure place and then flee, leaving behind problems and instabilities for the people of that country,” Mousavi said.
The top general made it clear that those who invite foreigners to their countries with the intention of borrowing security from them should know that the arrogant and domineering powers are only after safeguarding their own interests.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has over the past years proven that it can powerfully be the originator of establishing regional security.”
Mousavi said regional countries can join hands to maintain regional security through regional alliances and cooperation, without relying on foreigners.