Kucinich: U.S. Provokes Iran, Destabilizes Region

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) made the following statement in response to news reports that an American drone, based in Afghanistan, has been acquired by Iran. The Iranian government claims the drone was shot down in Iranian airspace, while American military officials in Afghanistan maintain that the drone which employs stealth technology was lost in Western Afghanistan as a result of a mechanical malfunction.

"If the American claims that the drone drifted into Iran after a mechanical malfunction are true, it serves as further evidence that our presence in Afghanistan is destabilizing the region. Technical and mechanical malfunctions are a fact of life and exacerbated by the harsh conditions of the Afghan terrain. As long as the United States continues to operate in Afghanistan the unintended results of our actions will continue to destabilize the region.

"If the Iranian claims are true, that a stealth drone was shot down while operating in Iranian airspace, the damage is even more serious. The United States has no right to violate Iranian airspace; doing so would be a violation of international law and a serious provocation," said Kucinich. "If the Administration is trying to stumble into war with Iran, this alleged violation would be a step in that direction."