U.S. Navy Engages Iranian Drone Near Aircraft Carrier

On Tuesday, a U.S. Navy fighter jet took down an Iranian drone that was approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.

Col. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that an unmanned aircraft aggressively approached the carrier without a clear intent. Even with the carrier adopting de-escalation measures, the drone continued its path toward it.

According to Hawkins, the F-35C fighter jet from the Lincoln successfully shot down the drone, with no reported injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to equipment.

Later that day, in a separate incident in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) allegedly harassed the merchant vessel M/V Steba Imperative, which was legally navigating international waters. The two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajar drone sped toward the U.S. tanker, posing a threat to board and capture it.

The guided missile destroyer USS McFaul was in the vicinity and quickly moved to escort the M/V Steba Imperative with support from U.S. Air Force defensive air units.

Hawkins reiterated that CENTCOM forces operate with professionalism to safeguard U.S. service members, ships, and aircraft in the Middle East. He emphasized that Iran’s ongoing intimidation tactics in international waters are unacceptable and contribute to the risk of conflict and instability in the region.

In response to increasing threats from Iran, U.S. naval vessels have been deployed in waters around Iran, with the USS Abraham Lincoln entering the Indian Ocean earlier in January amid rising tensions.

Moreover, Iran’s government has faced heightened international criticism for its harsh crackdown on anti-government protests, which reportedly led to the deaths of up to 30,000 protesters.