Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of deploying replica versions of Iran’s Shahed-136 drones to carry out attacks in the Middle East, aiming to falsely blame Iran and escalate regional tensions.
According to International media reports, a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the drones, designated “Lucas,” were part of a “false-flag campaign” intended to create a pretext for further military action against Tehran.
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Iranian officials claim that some recent drone strikes on neighboring countries, including Turkey, Kuwait, and Iraq, involved drones resembling the Shahed-136 but argue these were modified or cloned versions deployed by Western forces.
The spokesman emphasized that Iran’s military operations remain disciplined, targeting only U.S. and Israeli military assets.
About Shahed Drones
The Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed loitering munition, often described as a “kamikaze drone,” capable of flying long distances to strike ground targets.
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It can be deployed in swarms and has been used in multiple conflicts, including in Ukraine and other Middle Eastern tensions.
Regional Context
These accusations come amid escalating confrontations involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, with ongoing missile and drone incidents reported across several Gulf countries.
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Analysts say the use of cloned drones in “false-flag” operations, if confirmed, could further complicate regional security and fuel mistrust among international actors.
