Iran claims downing of US surveillance aircraft

TEHRAN, June 20 (KUNA) -- Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed the downing of a US surveillance aircraft off the southern coastal province of Hormozgan, said state television Thursday.
"The US-made Global Hawk surveillance drone was brought down," affirmed the Iranian state television.
Tension between Iran and the US escalated recently on the backdrop of the American withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Tehran and the attacks on tankers in the region.
Washington blames Iranian elements behind the tanker attacks, while Tehran refutes the allegations. (end) mw.gta