This Tuesday (3), United States forces shot down a drone owned by the Iranian regime in the Arabian Sea, after the unmanned aircraft advanced towards the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The episode occurs amid the strengthening of the US military presence in the Middle East and the worsening of tensions between Washington and Tehran.
According to the United States Central Command (Centcom), an American Navy F-35C fighter was used to intercept the Iranian drone, model Shahed-139. According to the military command, the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is stationed about 500 miles off the southern coast of Iran, in international waters of the Arabian Sea.
Centcom Commander General Brad Cooper stated that “Iran’s continued provocations and threats in international waters and airspace will no longer be tolerated.” Centcom spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said that the drone maintained its course towards the aircraft carrier despite American attempts to de-escalate, which led to defensive action. No U.S. service members were injured and no U.S. equipment was damaged during the interception.
According to the agency Reutersthe downing of the Iranian drone comes as diplomats try to organize new talks about the Islamic regime’s nuclear program. Hours after the drone was shot down, Centcom stated that naval forces from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard used two speedboats and a drone to threaten the commercial oil tanker. Stena Imperativewith American flag and crew. The situation was contained after the intervention of the American destroyer USS McFaulwho escorted the tanker to an area considered safe, ending the Iranian harassment.
