By PingTV News Desk | February 3, 2026
ARABIAN SEA – Tensions in the Middle East reached a new flashpoint Tuesday after a U.S. Navy fighter jet intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone that “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group.
The Interception
According to a statement released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet launched from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln to engage the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drone, identified as a Shahed-139, was flying within approximately 500 miles (800 kilometers) of Iran’s southern coast when it began a direct approach toward the carrier.
CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the shootdown was an act of self-defense.
“The drone aggressively approached the aircraft carrier with unclear intent,” the statement read. “It continued to fly toward the ship despite multiple de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters.”
No Injuries Reported
The U.S. military confirmed that no American personnel were injured and no equipment was damaged during the engagement. The USS Abraham Lincoln remains fully operational and is continuing its mission in the Arabian Sea.
Escalating Maritime Tensions
The drone shootdown was not the only incident reported on Tuesday. Hours after the interception, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly harassed a merchant vessel, the Stena Imperative. According to military officials, two Iranian fast boats and a Mohajer drone approached the tanker at high speeds, threatening to board and seize the ship before U.S. assets intervened.
Geopolitical Context: The “Armada” Strategy
The incident comes amid a period of extreme regional volatility. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has ramped up naval presence in the region, with the President recently referring to the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln as a “beautiful armada” aimed at bringing Tehran to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have warned that any use of neighboring territory or airspace for attacks against Iran would be met with “forceful retaliation.”
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