CIA's Stealth Drone Loss in Iran Raises Concerns Over Cybersecurity and Espionage
In December 2011, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) lost control of a stealth drone near Kashmar, Iran, which was subsequently displayed by the Iranian military as a trophy. This incident raised questions about whether the drone, a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel, had simply malfunctioned or if it had been commandeered by Iranian hackers. The event highlighted the growing capabilities of Iran's cyber forces, which had already been a concern for U.S. officials. The situation became more complex with the involvement of Mohammad Hossein Tajik, an Iranian intelligence officer who claimed to have been a CIA asset. Tajik's communications with a journalist revealed his discontent with the Iranian regime and his desire to leak sensitive information as a form of revenge. His story, however, ended tragically when he was found dead under suspicious circumstances, raising further questions about espionage and counterintelligence operations in Iran. 
