Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi underlined that the US drone downed by Iran earlier this month should now be considered as an Iranian property, Fars reported.
"The US spy drone is now Iran's property, and our country will decide what steps to take about it," Vahidi said.
"Instead of apologizing to the Iranian nation, it is brazenly asking for the drone back," Vahidi added.
Iran "will not back down from defending the nation or its interests", he declared.
After days of silence, US President Barack Obama on Monday asked Tehran to return the spy drone that was downed in Eastern Iran on December 4.