U.S. fighter jets near Iranian plane: pilot
Video obtained by Reuters captures the sound of screaming passengers aboard an Iranian plane on Thursday (July 23) as it reportedly swerved to avoid hitting a nearby U.S. fighter jet.
The Mahan Air flight's terrifying swerve reportedly left several passengers injured.
That's according to Iranian media, which reported that the pilot had suddenly changed altitude to avoid an American F-15.
Iran's official news agency IRIB initially said a single Israeli jet had come near the plane, but later quoted the pilot as saying there were two jets that identified themselves as American.
But the U.S. military claims -- the jet was at a safe distance from the passenger airliner.
The flight from Tehran was bound for Beirut when the pilot staged the safety maneuver as it was flying over Syrian airspace.
IRIB released video showing a bloodied passenger, as well as an elderly man sprawled out onto the floor.
The head of the Beirut airport later told Reuters all passengers left the plane, with minor injuries being reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry says there will be an investigation into the incident, which may put more strain on relations between the U.S. and Iran.
Ties have broken down since 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump left the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions that have battered Iran's economy.
But the U.S. military's Central Command, which oversees American troops in the region, said the F-15 jet was merely conducting a visual inspection of the Iranian aircraft when it passed near the Tanf garrison in Syria where U.S. forces are present.
A U.S. military official said that the intercept was carried out in accordance with international standards.
He added that once the Iranian aircraft was identified as a Mahan Air passenger plane, the fighter jet safely opened distance from the aircraft.
But -- the United States and Israel have both long accused Mahan Air of ferrying weapons to Iranian-linked guerrillas in Syria and elsewhere.
And -- the United States imposed sanctions on Mahan Air in 2011, saying it provided financial aid and other support to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.
