U.S. forces shoot down Iranian drone that ‘aggressively approached’ aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, and American forces later drove off Iranian boats harassing a U.S.-flagged merchant ship, Pentagon officials said.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are heightened amid a significant buildup of American military assets in the region, including the Abraham Lincoln.

The U.S. shot down the drone just hours after Iran signaled that it wanted direct negotiations with the Trump administration, which has demanded that Tehran make major concessions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The White House said Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with an Iranian delegation this week. President Trump has threatened to launch fresh military strikes against Iran, though administration officials stress that his preferred outcome is a diplomatic deal.

“As for the president, he remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first. But in order for diplomacy to work, of course, it takes two to tango. You need a willing partner to engage,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News. “Special Envoy Witkoff is set to have conversations with the Iranians later this week. Those are still scheduled as of right now.”

The two incidents Tuesday could suggest that some elements of Iran’s military want to test U.S. forces.

There are thought to be hard-liners in Iranian leadership, including in its elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who favor a more aggressive stance toward the U.S. and could oppose direct diplomatic engagement.

The incidents also underscore the significant risk of escalation. Any harm to U.S. personnel or damage to American equipment could quickly change the Trump administration’s calculus and increase the chances of strikes against Iran.

The Iranian drone that approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier had “unclear intent,” officials said, leading American forces to take protective action.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said in a statement that the Iranian Shahed-139 drone approached the U.S. vessel as it was sailing about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast. He said the drone “continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters.”

The Iranian drone was shot down by an F-35 fighter jet, officials said. No troops were injured, and no U.S. equipment was damaged.

Hours later, two boats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a separate Iranian drone harassed the merchant ship Stena Imperative, officials said, and Iranian crews threatened to board and seize the vessel.

The U.S.-flagged ship had an American crew on board, the Pentagon said.

A U.S. destroyer escorted the ship out of danger, with “defensive air support from the U.S. Air Force.”

Capt. Hawkins said the “situation de-escalated as a result,” and the U.S. ship continued on its journey.

“Continued Iranian harassment and threats in international waters and airspace will not be tolerated,” Capt. Hawkins said. “Iran’s unnecessary aggression near U.S. forces, regional partners and commercial vessels increases risks of collision, miscalculation, and regional destabilization.”

Mr. Trump has repeatedly threatened military strikes on Iran because of its deadly crackdown on protesters last month. The president has surged U.S. military assets to the region.

Mr. Trump last year ordered strikes against three key Iranian nuclear facilities, demonstrating his willingness to take action against Tehran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that he wants to reach a deal with the U.S.

“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, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency,” he said in a social media post.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to lead the team that meets with Mr. Witkoff.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.