U.S. naval forces shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, as tensions with Tehran intensify.
Captain Tim Hawkins of U.S. Central Command said an F-35C stealth fighter from the carrier downed the drone “in self-defence” roughly 500 miles from Iran’s coast, with unclear intent.
No U.S. equipment or personnel were harmed.
The same day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps harassed a U.S.-crewed tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s busiest oil shipping lane. U.S. military support de-escalated the incident, allowing safe passage.
These clashes precede U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, now likely in Oman with envoys Steve Witkoff and Abbas Araghchi. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News negotiations proceed this week.
“Trump remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first,” she said, but he “has always a range of options on the table, and that includes the use of military force.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to negotiate with the U.S. “provided that a suitable environment exists.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned any attack would spark a “regional war.”
The U.S. cites last June’s strikes during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, which Trump said “obliterated” nuclear sites. He warned future action would be “far worse.” Iran denies pursuing weapons and retaliated with missiles on Israel and a U.S. base in Qatar.
Trump recently said Iranian officials “do want to make a deal” if they accept “no nuclear” and stop killing protesters amid economic unrest.
HRANA reports 6,424 protester deaths, including 152 children as Iran Human Rights estimates over 25,000. Tehran admits 3,117 deaths, mostly security forces or bystanders killed by “rioters.” Khamenei called it “sedition” by the U.S. and Israel.