US Shoots Down Iranian Drone Amidst Diplomatic Overtures and Tensions

• Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed his foreign minister to pursue "fair and equitable negotiations" with the US, signaling a potential shift in Tehran's stance.
• Hours after Iran's negotiation announcement, a US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone that aggressively approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
• White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is still scheduled to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey, despite the drone incident.
• In a separate incident, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces harassed a US-flagged merchant vessel, Stena Imperative, in Iranian territorial waters, prompting a response from the USS McFaul.
• Discussions are expected to cover Iran's nuclear program, with Israel demanding specific conditions like removing enriched uranium and limiting ballistic missiles.

Why It Matters: US shoots down Iranian drone as Iran seeks negotiations, highlighting persistent tensions amidst diplomatic efforts.