The U.S. military has shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, along the Arabian Sea.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that the Shahed-139 drone “aggressively approached” the vessel with “unclear intent” as it was navigating through the Arabian Sea, nearly 500 miles from the southern coast of Iran.
U.S. Central Command spokesperson, Capt. Tim Hawkins explained that the drone “unnecessarily maneuvered” toward the aircraft carrier and continued "despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters."
An F-35 fighter jet from the carrier shot down the drone “in self-defense to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board,” said Capt. Hawkins additionally affirmed that no U.S. personnel were harmed.
Subsequently, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps harassed a Stena Imperative, a U.S.-flagged and manned oil tanker that traveled along the Strait of Hormuz. According to Hawkins, the forces approached the tanker at "high speeds and threatened to board and seize” it.
The USS McCaul, a guided missile destroyer, intervened and responded to the situation, escorting the tanker with support from the U.S. Air Force.
"CENTCOM forces are operating at the highest levels of professionalism and ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel, ships, and aircraft in the Middle East," Hawkins stated. "Continued Iranian harassment and threats in international waters and airspace will not be tolerated. Iran's unnecessary aggression near U.S. forces, regional partners and commercial vessels increases risks of collision, miscalculation, and regional destabilization."
Concurrently, Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, shared on Feb. 3 that he has instructed the nation’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the U.S.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said special envoy Steve Witkoff has scheduled negotiation talks with Iranian officials in Turkey towards the end of the week, with the plans still active despite the incident.
“President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango,” Leavitt said. “You need a willing partner to achieve diplomacy, and that’s something that special envoy Witkoff is intent on exploring and discussing.”
