Special to WorldTribune.com

Compiled by Bill Gertz, Geostrategy-Direct.com

Iranian state media displayed a captured U.S. intelligence-gathering aircraft identified as the RQ-170 unmanned aerial vehicle, a system that has been deployed to collect signals and imagery intelligence on Iranian nuclear programs and military forces.

U.S. officials confirmed that the drone was lost Dec. 4 in eastern Iran but denied Iranian state media claims that the aircraft had been shot down or forced down as a result of electronic warfare operations.

The Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel is a bat-winged UAV that was first used in Afghanistan in 2009. It is operated by the CIA in cooperation with the U.S. military.

Disclosure of the downing of the UAV comes amid heightened concerns about an Israeli attack on Iran over its covert nuclear arms program.

A recent International Atomic Energy Agency report said the Iranian program involves detailed work on electronic nuclear triggers, underground testing and warhead design.

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  Capture of stealth UAV raises concerns Iran will share technology, CIA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Lockheed Martin, RQ-170 Sentinel