Earlier reports from the Pentagon that Iran had attacked an unmanned surveillance drone in the Persian Gulf have been confirmed by Iranian officials.

Iran contends that the unmanned drone had entered into their airspace and that was why it was fired on. Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmed Vahidi stated that his government will confront any other aircraft that enters into their airspace saying that they will “give a decisive response to any aerial. ground or sea aggression.”

The Pentagon disputes Iran’s claims that the MQ-1 drone was in their airspace, saying that the attack occurred while the drone was s16 nautical miles off the Iranian shores when it was attacked. The drone was not hit however and returned safely to its base.

Pentagon Spokeman George Little said that the United States has informed Iran that it is prepared to safeguard its forces and will continue surveillance efforts in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. has not ruled out a response to the attack, whether that be diplomatic or miitary.

The United States states that this is the first time that Iran has fired on one of its drones. Iran states that it had shot down one of the unmanned aircraft last year when it was over their territory. The United States says that that aircraft landed unintentionally.