2 wounded in Iran after military drone veers off course during testing

TEHRAN, Iran — A military drone crashed during a test flight in northern Iran today, wounding two people and damaging buildings, state media reports.

Debris fell in different parts of the northern city of Gorgon, according to the official IRNA news agency.

The semiofficial Tasnim news agency releases a video showing white smoke rising from different areas and the sound of anti-aircraft batteries.

تایید سقوط یک فروند پهپاد در گرگان

معاون سیاسی استاندار گلستان:

این پهپاد حوالی ساعت ۹صبح ساقط شده و تکه های آن در مناطقی از شهر گرگان سقوط کرد

وی شایعه ساقط شدن ۸فروند پهپاد را تکذیب کرد و گفت این تکه ها مربوط به یک پهپاد می باشد

وی اظهار داشت: نیروهای نظامی و امنیتی مشغول… https://t.co/600kaccM6t pic.twitter.com/ouUt5dl3sT

— خبرگزاری تسنیم ???????? (@Tasnimnews_Fa) September 18, 2023

Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaeinik tells state TV that the test flight in a remote area went off track due to a “technical failure.” He does not specify the type of drone, but images of the wreckage circulating on social media suggest it was the type that carries bombs.

Iran is a major producer of both civilian and military drones, and has supplied attack drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine.