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A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone after it approached an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East on Tuesday, according to official statements. This incident marks the second clash between the two nations in Middle Eastern waters on the same day, following attempts by Iranian forces to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that US envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to hold discussions with Iranian officials later this week despite the recent confrontations. Washington has expressed the desire for Tehran to limit its large-scale ballistic missile programs as diplomatic talks are scheduled for Friday. However, President Trump has avoided ruling out military action ahead of these negotiations, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insists talks will only proceed if they are conducted without threats.
In a statement, Central Command announced that “an F-35C fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense.” The aircraft carrier had been deployed to the Arabian Sea last month amid increased US military presence in the region.
Tensions soared after Trump publicly told Iranians that “help is on its way” amid protests and a harsh crackdown in Iran last month. Pezeshkian confirmed that he had authorized the start of US-Iran negotiations, provided the talks remain free of threats. Iran has indicated that the talks could be hosted in Turkey, Oman, or other regional countries, with the specifics yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, Iran has demanded that any discussions this week take place in Oman rather than Turkey, focusing solely on nuclear issues and excluding other regional concerns, according to a regional source. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Witkoff in Jerusalem, warning that Iran “cannot be trusted,” emphasizing the mistrust surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While both nations have reiterated their commitment to dialogue, there are active military exchanges at sea. Iranian gunboats challenged a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, with US forces responding with air support and escorting the vessel away. According to British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, armed small boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards approached the Stena Imperative 16 nautical miles north of Oman, but the ship maintained course and speed, not entering Iranian waters. Iran’s state news agency Fars reported that an unidentified vessel entered Iranian territorial waters but left immediately after warnings.
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