Iran's foreign minister is using a hand-drawn map to explain why America's drone was shot down


Iran's foreign minister has cobbled together an interesting explanation of Thursday's drone hit.
Iran's paramilitary Islamic Republican Guard Corps shot down a U.S. drone on Thursday morning, but the two countries have since argued over the type of drone and where it was flying. So in an attempt to explain Iran's side of the story, its Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has appeared to draw out — or at least hand label — a map of the area and tweet it out.
By America's account, Iran shot down the drone in international airspace, CNN reports. But according to Zarif's map and the accompanying screenshot from Google, the U.S. drone was in "stealth mode and violated Iranian airspace."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
President Trump originally responded to the strike with a Thursday tweet saying "Iran made a very big mistake," and clarified by telling reporters that he finds it "hard to believe [the strike] was intentional." Zarif's explanation, on the other hand, suggests the move was purposeful. Regardless, the move has further inflamed tensions between Iran and the U.S. amid a streak of attacks on oil tankers around the Strait of Hormuz.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
See the bright lights from these 7 big-city hotels
The Week Recommends Immerse yourself in culture, history and nightlife
-
Scientists want to regrow human limbs. Salamanders could lead the way.
Under the radar Humans may already have the genetic mechanism necessary
-
Seven wild discoveries about animals in 2025
In depth Mice have Good Samaritan tendencies and gulls work in gangs
-
How far would Russia go for Iran?
Today's Big Question US air strikes represent an 'embarrassment, provocation and opportunity' all rolled into one for Vladimir Putin
-
How the Israel-Iran conflict broke out
The Explainer Israel's strike on Iran's nuclear and missile programmes was years in the planning
-
Will the UK get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer is 'walking a tightrope' in helping Israel limit Tehran's nuclear capabilities without being seen to do so
-
What happens if Israel attacks Iran?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Israel is 'ready to strike' and Tehran has plans for counterattacks against the US as nuclear talks appear deadlocked
-
Russia and Iran 'up the ante' after meeting in Turkmenistan
The Explainer Two nations talk up their closer ties but some in Tehran believe Putin 'still owes' them
-
Israel's wars: is an end in sight – or is this just the beginning?
Today's Big Question Lack of wider strategic vision points to 'sustained low-intensity war' on multiple fronts
-
Iran and Israel: is all-out war inevitable?
Talking Points Tehran has vowed revenge for assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, but Gaza ceasefire could offer way out
-
Hamas and Hezbollah strikes: what does it mean for Israel?
Today's Big Question Iran vows revenge for death of Hamas political leader in Tehran, hours after Israeli strike kills top Hezbollah member in Beirut