U.S. Plane Forced Down in Iran?

U.S. authorities are not confirming this, but Iran claims a plane that crossed into Iranian airspace has been forced down.

A US plane has been forced to land in Iran after violating Iranian territory, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency has reported.

The report said the Falcon aircraft entered Iranian airspace from Turkey, flying at low altitude to avoid radar.

The agency said all those on board were released, without saying when the incident happened.

This could simply be some propaganda ploy by Iran.

Rest assured, though, the fever swamps will be buzzing about some October surprise.

More here.

The agency added that the incursion was unintentional, and those on board were questioned and released.

It said five people were interrogated at an Iranian airport, but allowed to leave the following day after it became clear the incursion had been a mistake.

Reports said the plane was a fighter jet, sparking fears of a confrontation between the two countries.

However, the Pentagon denied that any of its aircraft were missing and it later emerged that the plane was a Falcon passenger jet.

The plane is said to have entered Iranian airspace from Turkey despite repeated warnings by the Islamic Republic Air Force.

The Pentagon denies the report.

"All aircraft in the region are accounted for and we have no reports of any aircraft landing in Iran," Lt. Col. Patrick Ryder told reporters.

"I haven't heard anything like that," said Pentagon Bryan Whitman.

Update: Turns out it was some Hungarian plane. Oops.

Reports that the jet was a US warplane with military personnel on board were contradicted by other sources inside the country, which said its nationality was in fact Hungarian.