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What Happened: A Drone Near a U.S. Aircraft Carrier
On February 3, 2026, U.S. military forces shot down an Iranian Shahed‑139 unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) that was approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea. (USNI News)
According to the U.S. Central Command, the drone flew toward the carrier with an “unclear and aggressive” flight path and ignored multiple de‑escalatory signals while the ship was in international waters. A Marine Corps F‑35C fighter jet destroyed the drone in self‑defense to protect the carrier and its crew. No U.S. personnel were hurt, and there was no damage to any U.S. equipment. (USNI News)
No “Sinking” — Just a Shot‑Down Drone
The term “tried to sink” appears to be an exaggeration of the actual event — which was more accurately a tense aerial encounter in a broader context of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Another Incident in the Region
The same day, U.S. forces reported a separate maritime incident in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Iranian fast boats and another Iranian drone reportedly approached and threatened a U.S.‑flagged oil tanker, M/V Stena Imperative, and attempted to board it. The U.S. destroyer USS McFaul intervened and escorted the vessel to safety. (USNI News)
What Iran Says
Iranian state media didn’t claim it tried to attack the U.S. carrier. Instead, reports emphasized that the drone was on a surveillance mission in international waters and was part of routine military activity. Tehran characterized the loss of communication with its drone as under investigation. (en.people.cn)
The Bigger Picture
These incidents come amid broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran:
- The U.S. has dispatched more naval forces to the region as part of pressure over Iran’s nuclear program and its internal suppression of protests. (military.com)
- Iran has issued strong warnings that any U.S. military action against it could spark wider conflict in the Middle East. (nypost.com)
- Diplomatic efforts continue, with talks under discussion to avert direct confrontation. (en.people.cn)
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