US confirms fighter flew close to Iranian passenger plane to ‘inspect it’ 

The U.S. military flew a fighter jet within a few thousand feet of an Iranian commercial aircraft over Syria to “inspect it,” a spokesperson for Central Command, the U.S. military command responsible for the Middle East, confirmed to The Hill.

The spokesperson said a U.S. F-15 conducted a “standard visual inspection” of the privately owned Iranian jetliner at about 1,000 meters. Their statement came after Iranian state media released videos showing passengers that appeared to be shaken and injured.

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami described the U.S. action as an “act of terrorism” in Iranian state media Press TV. The Mahan Air flight was flying from Tehran to Beirut, according to the outlet. 

“Our passenger plane was moving at the international commercial flight route and corridor, and the American fighter jets’ threatening move was unlawful and inhumane,” he said.

The Central Command spokesperson told The Hill the U.S. was merely inspecting the passenger plane and maintained a lawful distance.

“The visual inspection occurred to ensure the safety of coalition personnel at At Tanf garrison. Once the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger plane, the F-15 safely opened distance from the aircraft,” the Pentagon spokesperson told The Hill.

“The professional intercept was conducted in accordance with international standards.”