Additional Coverage:
- US military shoots down Iranian drone approaching USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea, official says (foxnews.com)
U.S. Military Downs Iranian Drone, Reports Harassment in Arabian Sea
In a significant escalation of tensions in the Arabian Sea, the U.S. military reported shooting down an Iranian drone on Tuesday after it “aggressively approached a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier with unclear intent.”
The incident, confirmed by a U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman, occurred approximately 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast.
Captain Tim Hawkins, the CENTCOM spokesman, stated that the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was traversing the Arabian Sea when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone “unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship.” Despite de-escalatory measures by U.S. forces in international waters, the drone persisted in its approach.
An F-35C fighter jet, launched from the Abraham Lincoln, subsequently shot down the drone in what was described as an act of self-defense to safeguard the aircraft carrier and its personnel. No U.S. service members were injured, and no equipment was damaged during the engagement.
Hours later, in a separate incident within the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces allegedly harassed a U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed merchant vessel. According to Captain Hawkins, two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone rapidly approached the M/V Stena Imperative, threatening to board and seize the tanker.
The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), operating nearby, swiftly responded to escort the merchant vessel, supported by defensive air support from the U.S. Air Force.
This intervention led to a de-escalation of the situation, allowing the U.S.-flagged tanker to proceed safely.
These incidents unfold as the USS Abraham Lincoln is deployed in the Middle East, part of a larger military presence that President Donald Trump alluded to last week. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, described a “massive Armada” heading to Iran, emphasizing its speed, power, and readiness to fulfill its mission, “with speed and violence, if necessary.” He expressed hope that Iran would “quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal-NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS-one that is good for all parties,” adding that “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!”
The USS Abraham Lincoln is currently in the region to support security and stability within the Middle East.