The Pentagon claimed Thursday that an Iranian fighter jet attempted to shoot down an unmanned U.S. surveillance aircraft which was flying over international waters in the Persian Gulf last week.

The Pentagon claimed Thursday that an Iranian fighter jet attempted to shoot down an unmanned U.S. surveillance aircraft which was flying over international waters in the Gulf last week.

"I can confirm that on November 1, at approximately 4:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, an unarmed, unmanned MQ-1 U.S. military aircraft conducting routine surveillance over the Arabian Gulf, was intercepted by an Iranian SU-25 Frog-foot aircraft and was fired upon with guns," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters.

"The incident occurred over international waters, approximately 16 nautical miles off of the Iranian coastline. The MQ-1 was not hit, and returned to its base safely. We believe they fired at least twice and made at least two passes" he added.

Insisting that the targeted drone was flying over international airspace when attacked, Little said "the Pentagon has informed both Congress and the White House about the incident".

He added that "Washington had since responded to Iran through the "Swiss protective powers"," considering that the Swiss Embassy in Tehran is currently looking after U.S. interests in Iran.

"The United States has communicated to the Iranians that we will continue to conduct surveillance flights over international waters, over the Arabian Gulf, consistent with longstanding practices and our commitment to the security of the region," Little further said before reporters.