Washington, February 4: A US aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday after the unmanned aerial vehicle made what the US military described as an “aggressive approach” toward the vessel, CNN reported, citing a spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM).
According to CNN, the incident involved the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was transiting international waters approximately 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said the Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters.
Hawkins said an F-35C fighter jet launched from the aircraft carrier destroyed the drone to ensure the safety of the ship and its personnel. He added that no American service members were harmed and no US equipment was damaged during the incident.
Hours later, two Iranian gunboats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps approached the US-flagged chemical tanker M/V Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz, Hawkins said.
According to CNN, the gunboats passed the vessel at high speed on three occasions while an Iranian Mohajer drone flew overhead. During one of the passes, the Iranian vessels reportedly threatened via radio communication to board and seize the tanker, which was operating in international waters.
US military forces in the region responded by deploying the USS McFaul, which escorted the tanker away from the area with defensive air support from the US Air Force. The situation subsequently de-escalated, Hawkins said.
Describing the incidents as examples of Iran’s “unprofessional and aggressive behaviour,” the CENTCOM spokesperson said such actions increase the risk of miscalculation for vessels operating in the region and warned that harassment in international waters would not be tolerated by the United States.
According to CNN, the incidents occurred days before scheduled diplomatic talks between US and Iranian officials aimed at preventing a military escalation. However, sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the negotiations encountered difficulties earlier in the day after Iran sought changes to the venue, participation, and scope of the discussions, requesting that they focus solely on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East over the past week, deploying the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group along with three guided-missile destroyers and its carrier air wing, which includes F/A-18E Super Hornet, F-35C Lightning II, and EA-18G Growler aircraft.
In addition, three US Navy destroyers — USS McFaul, USS Delbert D. Black, and USS Mitscher — are operating independently in the region, CNN reported.
About The Author
