Iran says captures US drone in its airspace

Iran captured a US intelligence-gathering drone that entered its airspace over the Gulf, its armed forces said on Tuesday, the latest in a recent succession of alleged US violations of Iranian territory.

The incident highlighted tensions in the Gulf as both the Islamic Republic and the United States seek to demonstrate their military capability over the waterway amid a standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz - the artery for 40 percent of the world's seaborne crude oil shipments - if it comes under military attack. US commanders have said they will not let that happen.

The compact ScanEagle drone was gathering information over the Gulf and had entered Iranian airspace when it was captured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) naval unit, a statement on the Guards' website said.

The drone was "captured" in the last few days, it said, without specifying where the incident occurred and whether the unmanned spy plane was shot down or crashed.

The IRGC released what it said was video of the ScanEagle being displayed and examined by military officials beneath a sign reading "We will trample the United States."