According to CENTCOM, the unmanned aerial vehicle, identified as an Iranian Shahed-139 drone, approached the carrier and did not alter its course despite repeated non-lethal warnings. An F-35C fighter jet assigned to the carrier strike group engaged and downed the drone in self-defence, the command said. The aircraft carrier was operating in international waters as part of a broader US naval deployment in the region.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of heightened friction between the United States and Iran, driven by disputes over nuclear negotiations and Tehran’s domestic unrest. Iran has yet to issue an official statement on the drone’s destruction.
US officials described the drone’s approach as “aggressive,” underscoring concerns about Iranian unmanned systems operating near American forces. The Shahed-139, a long-endurance UAV developed by Tehran, has been used by Iranian-aligned groups across the Middle East in recent years.
The encounter comes ahead of a planned diplomatic meeting in Turkey on Feb. 6, aimed at easing tensions and reviving stalled talks between Washington and Tehran. The meeting is expected to include US envoy Steve Witkoff, adviser Jared Kushner, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with participation from officials representing Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.
This latest confrontation also follows Iranian statements on Jan. 30 asserting that Tehran had prepared a fleet of 1,000 drones capable of launching attacks from land and sea. Iranian Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami said the expanded drone force is part of a strategic shift in military operations. Iranian authorities have linked their enhanced drone and missile capabilities to deterrence against perceived threats from the United States and its allies.
Tensions have been further compounded by recent large-scale protests inside Iran, during which thousands of demonstrators were reportedly killed, prompting sharp criticism from Western governments. In response, the European Union last month designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation and imposed sanctions on senior commanders.
The US naval presence in the Middle East has increased in recent months. In addition to the Abraham Lincoln, the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and other vessels are operating in nearby waters. US air assets from bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other states are also on heightened alert.
The United States maintains a significant troop presence in the region under US Central Command, with tens of thousands of service members stationed across the Persian Gulf and broader Middle East.
