MOSCOW: The president of Russia's Security Council has said that the U.S. drone that was shot down by Iran last week was in Iranian airspace. "I have received information from the Russian Foreign Ministry that this (U.S.) drone was in Iran's airspace," Russian Security Council Chief Nikolai Patrushev said in Jerusalem.

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Patrushev is in Jerusalem to hold talks with U.S. and Israeli officials. Tensions between the two countries have been at a peak since Iran shot down a U.S. spy drone on June 19. U.S. President Donald Trump had issued a directive to attack Iran to avenge it, but it was later revoked. Iran has insisted that the drone had violated its airspace in the Strait of Harmuz, but the Pentagon refused to enter Iran's territory.

On the other hand, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that new U.S. sanctions against Iran's top officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad-Jawad Zarif, show that Washington is "false" over the offer of talks.  In a meeting with ministers broadcast live on television, Rouhani said, "You ban the foreign minister and call for talks? Clear that you're lying.'

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