The United States military says it has shot down an Iranian drone after it “aggressively approached” an American aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea.
US Central Command said an F-35C stealth fighter jet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln destroyed the drone on Tuesday in what it described as an act of self-defence. The aircraft carrier was approximately 500 miles from Iran’s coast at the time, and the drone’s intent was described as “unclear.”
No US personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged during the incident, according to the military.
The downing comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as the US continues to bolster its military presence in the region. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran that military action remains an option if it refuses to negotiate restrictions on its nuclear programme.
Speaking after the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that diplomatic talks between the US and Iran are still expected to take place later this week. She said Trump “remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first,” but added that “a range of options” remain available, including military force.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously warned that any attack on Iran would trigger a wider regional war. Tehran has not commented publicly on the drone incident.
In a separate episode on Tuesday, the US military said forces from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had “harassed” a US-flagged, US-crewed merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes. US military support intervened and de-escalated the situation, allowing the tanker to continue safely.
Leavitt also confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff will represent the White House at the upcoming talks. Earlier reports suggested Witkoff would meet Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul alongside regional counterparts, but US media outlet Axios has reported that Iran requested the venue be moved to Oman with only US and Iranian officials present. The US has reportedly agreed to the change.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to negotiate with Washington “provided that a suitable environment exists.”
Ahead of the talks, US officials have repeatedly referenced last year’s US air strikes on Iran, which Trump said had “obliterated” key nuclear enrichment facilities. He warned that any future attack would be “far worse” than the strikes carried out during Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran last June.
During that conflict, Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, scientists, military commanders and missile infrastructure. Iran responded by launching hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, and also carried out a missile strike on a major US air base in Qatar.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Trump has also linked negotiations to Iran’s domestic unrest, saying Iranian officials must commit to “no nuclear” development and to ending violent crackdowns on protesters. Human rights groups estimate thousands have been killed during demonstrations triggered by economic hardship and demands for political change, though Iranian authorities dispute the figures and say many deaths involved security personnel or bystanders.
Iran’s leadership has described the unrest as foreign-backed “sedition,” accusing the US and Israel of orchestrating the protests.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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