The United States military has confirmed that it shot down an Iranian drone on Tuesday after it moved in an aggressive manner toward the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, according to a U.S. defense official.
The development occurred at a sensitive time, as diplomatic efforts were ongoing to revive nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump also warned that with American warships positioned near Iran, “bad things” could happen if negotiations failed.
Following news of the shootdown, global oil prices climbed by more than $1 per barrel, reflecting market concerns over escalating regional tensions.
According to the U.S. military, the Iranian Shahed-139 drone was flying toward the carrier “with unclear intent” when it was intercepted and destroyed by an American F-35 fighter jet.
“An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board,” said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the incident. However, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that contact had been lost with a drone operating in international waters, without explaining the cause.
U.S. officials said no American personnel were injured and no military equipment was damaged during the encounter.
The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group represents the most visible element of a broader U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. This follows Iran’s recent violent crackdown on anti-government protests, described as the deadliest domestic unrest since the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Although Trump previously stopped short of military intervention during the protests, he has since intensified pressure on Tehran, calling for nuclear concessions and deploying naval forces closer to Iran’s coastline. While Trump said last week that Iran was “seriously talking,” Iran’s senior security official, Ali Larijani, indicated that preparations for negotiations were underway.
Iranian Boats Harass U.S.-Flagged Tanker
In a separate incident on the same day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly harassed a U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after the drone was shot down.
“Two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker,” Hawkins said.
Maritime risk management firm Vanguard stated that the Iranian vessels ordered the tanker to shut down its engine and prepare for boarding. The ship instead increased speed and continued its journey.
Hawkins confirmed that the U.S. Navy destroyer USS McFaul, which was operating nearby, escorted the tanker until the situation eased.
“The situation de-escalated as a result, and the U.S.-flagged tanker is proceeding safely,” Hawkins added.
The back-to-back incidents have further heightened concerns about security and stability in the strategically vital waters of the Middle East.
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