Iran Claims Drone Shot Down by U.S. Fighter Jet
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday that a fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while it was conducting “routine and lawful missions on the high seas.”
According to Iranian military officials quoted by Tasnim, the drone managed to transmit reconnaissance data to its operator before its destruction.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Iranian drone made an “aggressive approach” toward the USS Abraham Lincoln while being operated by a militant group with unclear intentions in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. CENTCOM launched its F-35C fighter jets to intercept the drone in self-defense as it continued to approach the ship, ignoring de-escalation measures by U.S. forces present in international waters.
The incident concluded without any damage to U.S. military assets or injuries to personnel, according to CENTCOM.
The drone in question was identified as a Shahed 139, which is a long-range upgrade of the Shahed 129, capable of carrying missiles. Iran also manufactures a significant number of so-called “kamikaze drones,” which function like remote-controlled explosives, and these have been of particular interest to Russia.
Behnam Ben Taleblou, the Iran Program Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, suggested that Tehran was sending a message to President Trump by deploying a drone that threatened the USS Abraham Lincoln. He indicated that there’s a risk of Iran becoming a conflict zone in the Persian Gulf, noting that Iran aims to exploit tensions and recalls instances such as attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships during conflicts.
Taleblou elaborated on how Iran’s asymmetric tactics, originally refined through its experiences in the region, have shifted from using small vessels to employing drone strikes. He expressed confidence in how the U.S. Navy has handled Iranian provocations, acknowledging their military professionalism in maintaining operational security.
Regarding concerns about Iran’s ability to overwhelm U.S. defenses with swarms of drones, Taleblou pointed out that while Iran does possess some long-range drones like the Shahed 139, their inventory is not extensive. He recalled an unsuccessful Iranian attempt to launch a coordinated attack on Israel using a mix of drones and cruise missiles during a recent conflict, warning, however, that there’s always a risk they could learn from past mistakes.
“Although weaker, the Islamic Republic remains a significant threat, responsible for various unmanned aerial threats, including mortars, rockets, and missiles, all of which together create a daunting arsenal,” he cautioned.
In a related note, three Air Force pilots recently received commendations, including Maj. Benjamin Sanders, Maj. Eric Anderson, and Capt. Ryan Boody, for their exceptional performance in downing an Iranian drone while protecting Israel in April 2024. The pilots engaged a swarm of over 100 drones heading toward Israel, with Sanders notably using a 20mm gun to destroy at least one drone, rather than opting for missiles.
While the exact number of Iranian drones shot down by these pilots has not been disclosed, they contributed to a larger U.S. military effort that is believed to have resulted in the downing of more than 80 Iranian drones and several ballistic missiles during that operation.
