U.S. Downs Iranian Drone Near Carrier as IRGC Harasses U.S.-Flagged Tanker

Overview

• A U.S. F-35C from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 that approached the carrier in the Arabian Sea, which CENTCOM described as self-defense.
• No U.S. personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged in the drone intercept, according to U.S. officials.
• Hours later, IRGC fast boats and a Mohajer drone threatened the M/V Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz, and a U.S. warship moved to escort the merchant vessel.
• The Pentagon says forces are at maximum readiness in the region and warns that any further interference with commercial or U.S. ships will draw a proportional response.
• Iranian state-aligned media portrays the drone flight as surveillance in international waters, while the White House confirms U.S.-Iran negotiations later this week remain scheduled.