Iran unveils aircraft claimed to be its biggest drone, capable of 30-hour flight

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has unveiled a new aircraft that it says is the biggest drone yet to be developed in the Islamic Republic, capable of staying aloft for up to 30 hours.

Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan says the reconnaissance and combat drone Fotros has a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles). That would cover much of the Middle East including Israel.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Dehghan as saying Monday that Iranian scientists designed and developed the drone.

Iran is pursuing military self-sufficiency, and frequently announces technological breakthroughs. Most cannot be independently confirmed.

The country says it is fighting an intelligence battle with the U.S. and Israel, which accuse Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran denies the charges.