An Iranian drone was shot down as it 'aggressively approached' an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, a US military spokesman has said.
An F-35C stealth fighter jet which took off from the USS Abraham Lincoln warship shot down the drone 'in self-defence' to protect the aircraft carrier and its personnel, US Central Command spokesman Capt Tim Hawkins said.
The ship was approximately 500 miles from the Iranian coast when the drone approached it with 'unclear intent'.
No US equipment was damaged and no service members were harmed.
This incident occurs amidst heightened tension between the US and Iran, with the US increasing its military presence in the region. These tensions have further intensified following President Donald Trump's threats of military action should Iran fail to offer concessions on its nuclear program.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed talks between the US and Iran are still scheduled for later this week, emphasizing Trump's commitment to diplomacy while noting that military options remain on the table if necessary.
Tehran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, previously warned that any attack on Iran would lead to a 'regional war'.
The US military also reported ongoing aggressive interactions around the Strait of Hormuz, further complicating the fragile security dynamics in the region.
Iran has maintained that its nuclear intentions are peaceful, aiming merely for energy production, while the US has insisted on restricting its nuclear capabilities.
This situation constitutes a serious escalation in the confrontations between the two nations, with calls for diplomatic resolution increasingly urgent.
