Iran links ‘Lucas’ drone to alleged US effort to hurt regional ties
Iran has accused the United States of building a drone it calls ‘Lucas’, which Tehran claims is a copy of Iran’s Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle. According to Iran, the purpose of the alleged replica is to carry out attacks in Arab countries and create mistrust between Iran and its neighbours.
The allegation was made by Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, who said Iran viewed the reported drone activity as part of an attempt to damage Tehran’s relations with Arab nations.
Tehran offers cooperation on probes into civilian-area strikes
Alongside the claim about the drone, Araghchi said Iran was prepared to investigate incidents in which strikes have hit civilian areas in countries across West Asia.
He said Tehran was ready to participate in or support inquiries related to such attacks, focusing on incidents affecting non military locations and civilian communities.
Focus on regional stability and accountability
The comments come amid continuing security concerns in West Asia, where drone attacks and aerial strikes have frequently raised questions about responsibility and escalation risks.
Iran’s statement positions the issue as both a security matter and a diplomatic one, suggesting that alleged drone use could be linked to wider efforts to influence relationships among regional states.
No further details were provided in the information released on how Iran identified the ‘Lucas’ drone, the specific locations of the alleged attacks, or the timeline of the incidents referenced.
What Iran is saying
In his remarks, Araghchi framed the claim as an attempt to undermine Iran’s image among Arab nations, while also emphasising Iran’s readiness to engage with investigations into strikes that impacted civilian areas.
The development adds to the ongoing exchange of accusations in the region over drone technology and its use, as governments seek clarity on attacks and work to manage diplomatic fallout.