U.S. Shoots down Iranian Drone near Aircraft Carrier in Arabian Sea

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday.

The drone allegedly flew toward the carrier with “unclear intent” while the ship was operating in international waters about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. An F-35C fighter launched from the carrier intercepted and destroyed the drone, after it continued to approach despite de-escalatory measures. No U.S. personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged.

Iran’s state-controlled Tasnim news agency confirmed that contact had been lost with an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) drone, adding that the cause was under investigation.

Oil futures rose more than $1 per barrel following reports of the drone.

Hours later, the U.S. military reported a second confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz. Two IRGC boats, supported by an Iranian Mohajer drone, approached the U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed chemical tanker M/V Stena Imperative at high speed and threatened to board and seize it. A navy official said destroyer McFaul was operating nearby and escorted the tanker.

In related news, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to resume nuclear talks, making it first such negotiations since the Trump administration bombed three Iranian nuclear sites last summer. Trump recently warned that “bad things” could happen if nuclear negotiations fail.