Iranian Airliner Swerves to Avoid US F-15 Jet in Syrian Airspace, 4 Passengers Injured

An Iranian airliner was intercepted over Syrian airspace on Thursday by at least one US Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter jet, making what Iranian media characterized as an "aggressive" close pass that caused the passenger plane to take evasive action.

According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Mahan Air Flight 1152 on its way to Beirut, Lebanon,  from Tehran, Iran, was approached closely on Thursday by two aircraft, which identified themselves as American.

IRIB initially reported just one aircraft, which was purported to be Israeli. The news outlet noted that after the "dangerous action" by the jets, the airliner pilot quickly reduced altitude to avoid a collision. Al-Hadath reported four wounded passengers, and Lebanese authorities said there were 150 passengers on board.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement later on Thursday refuting claims the aircraft was Israeli. Meanwhile, Syrian media has reported there were two intercepting aircraft, which were part of the US-led international coalition, and that the intercept happened near the remote at-Tanf base in extreme southeastern Syria, which the US controls.

Two US officials told Reuters Thursday evening that the intercepting aircraft were American F-15 Eagles, but said they approached the Iranian passenger plane at a safe distance.

    "As soon as the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger aircraft, the F-15 successfully increased its distance from the aircraft," Bill Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command, told the Russian news agency TASS in a statement. Urban noted that "professional escort was conducted in accordance with international standards." However, he only spoke of one US fighter, not two, as reported elsewhere.

Citing Fadi Hassan, the head manager of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Reuters reported that all wounded passengers suffered only minor injuries.

Video captured on board the flight and shared on social media shows the aircraft jolting back and forth during the maneuver as passengers scream.

Breaking / Iran state TV reports an Istaeli jet has threatened Mahan passenger plane on it's way to Syria pic.twitter.com/GAgYefXDU7

— Rohollah Faghihi (@FaghihiRohollah) July 23, 2020

A video shared by IRIB shows the offending aircraft, with the silhouette of an F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter clearly visible.

Iranian media reporting a Mahan air passenger place was approached by fighter jets over Syria. Pilot lowered altitude, a number of passengers were reportedly injured. pic.twitter.com/fRQ7L1o6yZ

— AssedBaig (@AssedBaig) July 23, 2020

The Iranian airliner later landed at Beirut airport safely and has since returned to Tehran. It's unclear if it was carrying passengers on the return flight.

    The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was studying what happened to the plane in order to take the necessary political and legal measures in response.