US Shoots Down Iranian Drone With ‘Unclear Intent’ Near Aircraft Carrier In Arabian Sea

The United States military has shot down an Iranian drone that flew towards the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.

US Central Command said a Navy F-35C fighter jet launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln destroyed an Iranian Shahed-139 drone after it approached the carrier with unclear intent.

The aircraft carrier was operating in international waters, about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast, at the time.

According to the US military, the drone continued flying towards the ship despite attempts by US forces to de-escalate the situation.

Officials said the drone had unnecessarily manoeuvred in the direction of the carrier, prompting the fighter jet to shoot it down in self-defence to protect the ship and those on board.

No US personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged.

The Shahed-139 is a long-range drone capable of carrying a large explosive payload and has been used by Russia in attacks during the war in Ukraine.

Iranian state media later reported that the country’s Revolutionary Guard was investigating the incident, saying the drone had sent back images before it was shot down.

Hours later, US forces responded to a separate incident in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps harassed the US-flagged and US-crewed tanker M/V Stena Imperative as it passed through the busy shipping route.

The US military said two Iranian fast boats and a Mohajer drone approached the tanker at high speed and threatened to board and seize it.

The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, which was operating nearby, moved in to escort the vessel, with support from US Air Force aircraft. The situation later eased and the tanker continued its journey safely.

US Central Command warned that ongoing Iranian actions in international waters and airspace would not be accepted, adding that US forces would continue to protect their ships, personnel and aircraft in the region.

The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the region last week and is operating in the northern Arabian Sea with three destroyers as part of its carrier strike group.

Other US Navy ships are also deployed in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the incidents, diplomatic talks between the US and Iran are still expected to go ahead later this week.

References: BBC, CNBC

Source: Maritime Shipping News