Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 4: A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively approached” the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East, US officials said on Tuesday, as rising tensions at sea threatened to overshadow planned nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that US envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected “to have conversations with the Iranians late this week,” despite the latest incident.
According to the US Central Command, an F-35C fighter jet operating from the Abraham Lincoln brought down the drone “in self-defense,” said spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins. The aircraft carrier had been dispatched to the Arabian Sea last month amid a buildup of US forces in the region.
The drone downing marked the second confrontation between the two rivals in Middle Eastern waters the same day. Earlier, Iranian forces reportedly attempted to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
Central Command said Iranian gunboats challenged the tanker M/V Stena Imperative, with two boats and a drone allegedly approaching the vessel and threatening to board and seize it.
A US destroyer responded with air support and escorted the tanker onward, the statement said.
British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that the tanker was approached by multiple small armed boats linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards while transiting about 16 nautical miles (30 km) north of Oman, adding that the vessel increased speed, stayed on course, and did not enter Iranian waters.
However, Iran’s Fars news agency claimed a ship — without specifying its nationality — had entered Iranian territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz and was warned to leave, which it did.
The incident comes as Washington and Tehran prepare for renewed talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, expected to begin Friday, though the venue has not been confirmed.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of possible military action if a deal is not reached, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said negotiations would only proceed if they were free of threats and “unreasonable expectations.”
“I have instructed my minister of foreign affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.
Iran has said Turkey, Oman and other regional countries have expressed willingness to host the talks, describing the timing and location as “not a complicated issue.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told Witkoff in Jerusalem that Iran “cannot be trusted,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
The United States maintains that Iran’s nuclear programme could be aimed at developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists it is solely for civilian research. Washington is also seeking to limit Iran’s support for regional proxy forces and its ballistic missile arsenal — issues Iran says should not be part of nuclear negotiations.
The developments follow major unrest in Iran after protests over the rising cost of living erupted in December and later expanded into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
Iranian officials have acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the crackdown, while the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has claimed it has confirmed 6,872 deaths, mostly protesters, and counted at least 50,553 arrests, with detentions still ongoing.
Iranian authorities have blamed the violence on “terrorist acts” and alleged the unrest was fuelled by the United States and Israel.