TEHRAN: A U.S. official has announced that the U.S. military shot down an Iranian drone, identified as a Shahed-139, which approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. According to U.S. Central Command, the aircraft carrier was traversing the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, approximately 500 miles off the southern coast of Iran when the drone, with an unclear intent, moved towards it. Ultimately, an F-35 fighter jet stationed on the carrier shot down the drone as part of self-defense measures to protect the ship and its personnel. U.S. officials emphasized that no personnel were harmed in the incident, and no damage was done to equipment. In parallel, British maritime security firm “Vanguard Tech” reported that Iranian fast-attack boats approached an American tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding it to stop; however, the tanker continued its course under the escort of a U.S. warship. So far, Iran has not issued an official response regarding the incident. This event occurs amid heightened tensions in the region following a significant deployment of U.S. naval forces near Iran’s shores.
