By Gao Yun
Reuters reported that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Feb. 3, that U.S. forces shot down an Iranian drone over the Arabian Sea after it “aggressively” approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
CENTCOM, based in Qatar, said in a statement that the Shahed-139 drone flew toward the carrier “with unclear intent” and was subsequently shot down by an F-35 fighter jet launched from the Lincoln to protect the carrier and its crew.
The statement said: “No U.S. service members were injured, and no U.S. equipment was damaged in this incident.”
The incident occurred as diplomats were attempting to arrange nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. Previously, former President Trump had warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to serious consequences.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed shortly after the incident that the U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Friday in Istanbul would proceed as planned. The U.S. delegation will be led by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“President Trump has always prioritized resolving issues through diplomacy, but clearly diplomacy requires cooperation from both sides,” Leavitt said. “Diplomacy requires a willing counterpart, and that is exactly what Envoy Witkoff is determined to explore and discuss.”
She added: “Of course, as always, as Commander-in-Chief, the President retains multiple options in dealing with Iran. I believe they understood this very clearly during last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer. That operation was extremely successful and completely destroyed their nuclear capabilities. But for our part, the negotiations will continue later this week.”
The Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the region last month and is the most visible element of U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. Previously, Iranian authorities violently suppressed anti-government protests, causing the worst domestic unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Although Trump did not intervene during the crackdown, he subsequently deployed a fleet off Iran’s coast and demanded concessions from Tehran on nuclear issues.
The President stated last week that Washington and Tehran are “engaging in serious dialogue.” Meanwhile, senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani said that related negotiations are progressing.
Iranian vessels threaten US-flagged tanker
In another incident on Tuesday, Iran’s notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to board and seize a U.S.-flagged oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said two IRGC fast boats and a Mohajer drone approached the M/V Stena Imperative at high speed, threatening to board and seize the tanker.
In response, the USS McFaul guided the Stena Imperative through the Strait of Hormuz, supported by the U.S. Air Force.
The military statement said: “CENTCOM forces acted with the highest level of professionalism to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, vessels, and aircraft in the Middle East.”
The statement emphasized: “Iran’s continued harassment and threatening behavior in international waters and airspace is unacceptable. Unprovoked provocations by Iran near U.S. forces, regional partners, and commercial vessels increase the risk of collisions, miscalculations, and regional instability.”
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency later cited unnamed Iranian officials as saying on Tuesday that a vessel entered Iranian territorial waters without the necessary legal permits, was warned, and left the area without any special security incidents.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the broader Arabian Sea.
OPEC member states Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq export most of their crude oil through this strait, primarily to Asia.
In 2023, two vessels, and in 2024, one vessel, were detained by Iran in or near the strait. Some of these detentions occurred after the U.S. seized Iranian-related oil tankers.
