ARABIAN SEA, Feb. 3 (GeokHub) — U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone on Tuesday after it flew toward an American aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea, according to a U.S. military official, escalating tensions amid sensitive diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
The unmanned aircraft approached the USS Abraham Lincoln with what the military described as aggressive behavior and unclear intent. A U.S. Navy fighter jet intercepted and destroyed the drone in what officials said was a defensive action to protect the carrier and its crew.
The drone was identified as an Iranian Shahed-139 model. Military officials said no U.S. personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged during the encounter.
The incident occurred as diplomatic channels were being explored to revive nuclear discussions between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has recently warned that increased U.S. naval deployments in the region could lead to serious consequences if negotiations fail.
Following reports of the shootdown, oil prices rose by more than one dollar per barrel, reflecting renewed concerns over regional stability and maritime security.
Iranian officials did not publicly comment on the incident. Iranian state-linked media acknowledged the loss of contact with a drone over international waters but did not specify the cause.
The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is a central element of an expanded U.S. military presence in the Middle East, deployed after last month’s deadly unrest in Iran — the country’s most severe domestic turmoil in decades.
Separate Incident in Strait of Hormuz
Hours after the drone incident, U.S. military officials reported a separate confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian naval forces harassed a U.S.-flagged merchant tanker.
According to the U.S. military, fast-moving Iranian boats and a surveillance drone approached the vessel and issued threats to board it. The tanker refused to stop and continued its voyage, prompting a nearby U.S. Navy destroyer to move in and escort the ship.
The situation eventually de-escalated, and the tanker proceeded safely without further incident.
