US, Iraq war jets nose-to-nose in Saudi airspace

US warplanes were within two minutes of firing at an Iraqi Mig-25 fighter jet when it sneaked into Saudi airspace in an intensifying cat-and-mouse game between Western and Iraqi warplanes, US air force pilots say.

The daring probe on Thursday by the Iraqi jet — a move rarely attempted since 1991 — indicated Baghdad was willing to test US forces. ‘‘He came 15-20 miles into Saudi airspace and went nose-to-nose with us,’’ F-15C fighter Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Matt ‘‘Zap’’ Molloy said.

‘‘He turned around when we gave him a radar lock…We were two minutes away from firing an air-to-air missile in his direction,’’ he said. Saudi officials said they had no knowledge of any such incursion. The Mig-25, codenamed “Foxbat” by NATO allies, is an interceptor aircraft developed for the Soviet airforce capable of flying at Mach 3. It can also be used for reconnaissance. (Reuters)