Washington (NYToday) – The United States military has confirmed that it shot down an Iranian drone after it made what officials described as an aggressive approach toward the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. According to international news reports, the drone was detected flying close to the carrier under circumstances that raised serious security concerns.
In a statement, the US military said the Iranian Shahed-139 drone was moving toward the carrier with unclear intent and was neutralised by US F-35 fighter jets. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, said an F-35C aircraft launched from the Abraham Lincoln carried out the operation in self-defence to ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew.
Captain Hawkins confirmed that no US personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged during the incident. He added that the US military remains committed to protecting its forces and maintaining freedom of navigation in international waters.
The incident has further heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Following the drone’s downing, US President Donald Trump reiterated warnings to Iran, saying there would be serious consequences if Tehran refused to engage in nuclear negotiations. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned that any US attack on Iran could escalate into a wider regional conflict, raising concerns about stability across the Middle East.