U.S. Fighter Jet Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near Aircraft Carrier in Tense Arabian Sea Encounter
A U.S. Navy F-35C stealth fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone on Tuesday after it aggressively approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the defensive action, stating the drone posed a direct threat to the carrier and its personnel.
According to spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins, the Iranian drone flew toward the USS Abraham Lincoln with “unclear intent” while the ship operated approximately 500 miles from Iran’s coast.
Consequently, an F-35C launched from the carrier engaged and destroyed the unmanned aircraft in what the military termed an act of “self-defence.” Fortunately, no U.S. equipment sustained damage, and no service members were injured.
This incident sharply escalates already high tensions between Washington and Tehran. Importantly, it occurs as the United States continues to bolster its military presence in the region. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if it refuses to negotiate restrictions on its nuclear program.
Iranian Drone – Diplomatic Talks Proceed Amid Rising Threats
Despite the confrontation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that planned U.S.-Iran negotiations remain scheduled for later this week. She emphasized that President Trump “remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first.” However, she quickly added that he always maintains “a range of options on the table, and that includes the use of military force.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously warned that any attack on his country would trigger a “regional war.” Iranian officials have not yet commented on Tuesday’s drone incident.
Separate Harassment Incident in Strategic Strait
In a separate event on Tuesday, U.S. forces reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) harassed a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
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This waterway is the world’s busiest oil shipping channel. Capt. Hawkins stated that immediate U.S. military support “de-escalated” the situation, allowing the tanker to proceed safely.
Nuclear Talks and Human Rights Concerns
The planned diplomatic talks, which may now be relocated to Oman, are set to address the stalled nuclear deal. Significantly, President Trump recently warned that any new U.S. strike on Iran would be “far worse” than last year’s attacks, which targeted nuclear enrichment facilities.
Meanwhile, human rights groups report a devastating toll from Iran’s recent internal crackdown. The U.S.-based HRANA states it has confirmed over 6,400 protester deaths, while Norway-based Iran Human Rights warns the final toll could exceed 25,000. Iranian authorities acknowledge at least 3,117 deaths, blaming “rioters” for the violence.
As both military and diplomatic pressures intensify, the region watches closely. The downing of the Iranian drone signals Washington’s readiness to defend its assets forcefully, even while pursuing a fragile diplomatic path
