Iran has unveiled a new aircraft which it says is the biggest drone yet to be developed in the Islamic Republic, capable of staying in the air for up to 30 hours.

Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said the reconnaissance and combat drone Fotros has a range of 1,250 miles (2,000km). That would cover much of the Middle East including Israel.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Mr Dehghan as saying that Iranian scientists designed and developed the drone.

Iran is pursuing military self-sufficiency, and frequently announces technological breakthroughs. Most cannot be independently confirmed.

The country says it is fighting an intelligence battle with the US and Israel, which accuse Tehran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability. Iran denies the charges.

AP