US Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near Aircraft Carrier in Arabian Sea
A U.S. fighter jet on Tuesday shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively approached” the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, as American forces also repelled Iranian boats harassing a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel, Pentagon officials have said.
The incidents come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following a major buildup of U.S. military assets in the region, including the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.
According to U.S. Central Command, the Iranian Shahed-139 drone approached the aircraft carrier while it was operating in international waters about 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast. Officials said the drone ignored multiple de-escalatory measures and continued flying toward the ship, prompting defensive action.
“The drone’s intent was unclear,” U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said, adding that an F-35 fighter jet shot it down to protect U.S. forces. No American personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged.
Hours later, two boats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with another Iranian drone, harassed the merchant vessel Stena Imperative, officials said. The Iranian crews allegedly threatened to board and seize the ship, which was flying the U.S. flag and carrying an American crew.
The confrontations occurred just hours after Iran signaled interest in direct negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has pressed Tehran to make major concessions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The White House confirmed that U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with an Iranian delegation later this week, stressing that diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred option despite Trump’s warnings of possible military action.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president remains committed to pursuing diplomacy but emphasized that engagement requires cooperation from both sides.
Analysts say the twin incidents may indicate that hardline elements within Iran’s military, particularly the Revolutionary Guard, are testing U.S. resolve and could be seeking to undermine diplomatic efforts.
U.S. officials warned that any injury to American personnel or damage to U.S. assets could rapidly escalate tensions and alter Washington’s approach toward Iran.
