As tensions escalate between Iran and the United States over an American drone downed in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian political and military officials have made statements demonstrating they are not interested in escalating tensions.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air force displayed June 21 pieces of the downed US drone it shot down in the Persian Gulf region. Iran claims the drone violated its airspace, but Washington disputes the claim. IRGC air force Cmdr. Amir Ali Hajizadeh walked around the debris displayed on the tables before giving a press conference to Iranian reporters. 

Hajizadeh told reporters Iran had also spotted on June 20 a Boeing P-8 Poseidon plane with 35 people onboard along with the downed Global Hawk drone. According to Hajizadeh, “This plane had also violated our airspace and we could have targeted it, but we did not because our goal in shooting down the American drone was to give a warning.” Hajizadeh said that before striking the drone, they had issued a warning 10 minutes in advance. He also said the drone had violated international flight rules. 

According to Hajizadeh, the drone took off from Abu Dhabi and passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Hajizadeh asked, “If we had done this across the beaches of Washington, what reaction would they have shown? Would they have allowed us to invade their privacy?”