Iran Builds Unmanned Plane That Can Travel 620 Miles, State-Run Fars Says

[Purveyor]

Feb. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Iran built an unmanned aircraft capable of traveling 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), the state-run Fars news agency reported, citing the Defense Ministry.

The plane is an “important achievement,” Fars quoted Deputy Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi as saying yesterday in the city of Isfahan. He didn’t elaborate on the aircraft’s purpose or capabilities. The vehicle will fulfill a surveillance role, the Associated Press said.

Iran says its military technology developments are intended to secure its territory and ensure that the Persian Gulf nation is ready to deal with any possible attacks by enemies. Israel, which would be within range of the new aircraft, hasn’t ruled out attacks against Iran’s nuclear sites.

The U.S. and several major allies say Iran’s nuclear program is a cover for development of a bomb, and Israel views the work as a threat to the Jewish state’s existence. The government in Tehran says its efforts are aimed only at generating electricity.

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