US Downs Iranian Drone Near USS Abraham Lincoln Amid Rising Tensions

• An Iranian Shahed-130 drone "aggressively approached" the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on February 3.
• The US military deployed an F-35C fighter jet from the carrier to shoot down the Iranian drone, protecting personnel and equipment.
• US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the drone was shot down after it continued to approach despite de-escalatory measures.
• Iranian media, Tasnim News Agency, reported losing contact with an IRGC drone on a reconnaissance mission, confirming it transmitted footage before being lost.
• The incident, followed by Iranian gunboats threatening a US-flagged tanker, escalates US-Iran tensions ahead of planned diplomatic talks.

Why It Matters: US military shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, escalating US-Iran tensions.