US shoots down Iranian Shahed drone that was approaching aircraft carrier
Illustrative photo: US military shot down an Iranian Shahed drone (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, the US military shot down an Iranian drone and prevented the capture of a merchant ship by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incidents occurred in the waters of the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, this was stated in a comment to Fox News by Captain Tim Hawkins, a representative of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Read also: Iran ready for war with US, hopes for a deal — Foreign Minister.
Elimination of Shahed-139 near the aircraft carrier
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was in the Arabian Sea approximately 500 miles off the southern coast of Iran when an Iranian Shahed-139 UAV began aggressively maneuvering toward the ship.
According to CENTCOM, the drone continued to approach with unclear intentions, despite de-escalation measures taken by US forces.
"An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board," Hawkins said.
No US military personnel were injured, and no equipment was damaged as a result of the incident.
Attempted seizure of a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz
A few hours after the first incident, IRGC forces began pursuing a US-flagged merchant vessel with an American crew. The tanker M/V Stena Imperative was legally transiting the international sea lane in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Two IRGC boats and an Iranian Mohajer drone approached M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds and threatened to board and seize the tanker," a CENTCOM representative said.
The destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) immediately came to the tanker's aid, supported by US Air Force air cover. The military intervention de-escalated the situation, and the ship continues to sail safely.
Escalation of tensions between the US and Iran
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, US President Donald Trump has allegedly ordered the development of options for rapid strikes against Iran.
According to journalists, the US administration is considering scenarios for air strikes on Iranian government and IRGC targets in order to force the regime to make concessions on its nuclear program and release dissidents.
Washington's goal is to inflict significant damage without dragging the US into a protracted war.
A powerful naval group is currently in the area of responsibility of the US Central Command.
Tensions in the region have risen sharply following the harsh crackdown on anti-government protests in Tehran earlier this month.
