WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has delivered a formal request to Iran for the return of a U.S. surveillance drone captured by Iranian armed forces, but said it is not hopeful that Iran will comply.

President Barack Obama said Monday that the U.S. wants the top-secret aircraft back.  ''We have asked for it back.  We'll see how the Iranians respond, ''Obama said during a White House news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday.

In an interview broadcast live Monday night on Venezuelan state television, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said nothing to suggest his country would grant the U.S. request.

''The Americans have perhaps decided to give us this spy plane, ''Ahmadinejad said. ''We now have control of this plane,''

(SOURCE)