DUBAI, March 18. /TASS/. An American MQ-4C spy drone has been detected close to Iran’s airspace, the NourNews agency reported citing the Islamic Republic’s armed forces, adding that the drone retreated after an encounter with the country's fighter jets.

"An American spy drone retreated from its position close to Iran’s airspace following an encounter with [Iranian] F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones," the agency quoted an excerpt from the Iranian air forces’ statement. Any aerial vehicle, piloted or pilotless, will be eliminated immediately if it crosses Iran’s airspace, according to the report.