The USS Abraham Lincoln was operating roughly 500 miles from Iran’s shore when the unmanned aircraft closed in, according to US Central Command.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
An Iranian drone was brought down Tuesday after moving toward a US aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, as American officials said a defensive response was taken to safeguard the vessel and its personnel, Reuters reports.
The USS Abraham Lincoln was operating roughly 500 miles from Iran’s shore when the unmanned aircraft closed in, according to US Central Command.
Capt. Tim Hawkins said an F-35C launched from the carrier destroyed the drone “in self-defense” after it approached with “unclear intent.” No injuries were reported, and no damage was caused to US equipment.
The episode occurred on the same day US officials reported a separate maritime encounter.
In the Strait of Hormuz, forces identified as belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “harassed a US-flagged, US-crewed merchant vessel.”
Hawkins said US military involvement “de-escalated” the situation and the tanker continued safely through the key oil transit route.
These developments come as Washington and Tehran work through diplomatic channels to set up renewed talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
President Donald Trump has warned that “bad things” could follow if negotiations fail, while maintaining that diplomacy remains the first option.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that discussions are still expected to take place later this week.
She said Trump “remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first” but added that he “has always a range of options on the table, and that includes the use of military force.”
Leavitt also confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff will participate in the meeting on behalf of the White House.
Initial reports suggested the talks would be held in Istanbul between Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, alongside several regional foreign ministers. Subsequent reporting indicated that Tehran preferred moving the venue to Oman and limiting attendance to US and Iranian representatives.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously cautioned that any attack on Iran could lead to a “regional war.” Earlier Tuesday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country was ready to negotiate “provided that a suitable environment exists.”
US downs Iranian drone that approached aircraft carrier in Arabia Sea appeared first on World Israel News.