US Shoots Down Iranian Drone as Iran Vows Strike on Israel if US Attacks
IRAN - On February 3, a US F-35C fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone in the Arabian Sea after it approached the carrier aggressively with unclear intent.
Iranian state-affiliated FARS news agency claimed the drone successfully completed its mission of monitoring military movements near Iran despite the US action.
Earlier in the day, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats harassed a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, approaching at high speed and threatening to board it. US F-16 fighter jets provided escort until the tanker reached safety.
These incidents coincide with Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that Iran's enriched uranium would remain within the country and that any US military action against Iran would result in direct strikes on Israel.
This position emerges amid indirect nuclear negotiations set to resume on February 6, 2026, in Istanbul, facilitated by regional mediators such as Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Pakistan.
US preconditions include halting uranium enrichment, limiting Iran's ballistic missile program, and ending support for regional proxies. Iranian officials have indicated flexibility on reducing enrichment from 60 percent to 20 percent in exchange for concessions, but firmly oppose zero enrichment or exporting uranium.
On February 1, Supreme Leader Khamenei cautioned that US aggression would ignite a regional war. These developments follow US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, which disrupted enrichment at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan sites.
Recent Shootdown, and Incidents
The drone shootdown occurred approximately 500 miles (805 kilometers) from Iran's southern coast. US Central Command described the action as self-defense to protect the carrier and personnel.
No US service members were harmed, and no equipment was damaged. The Shahed-139 drone maneuvered toward the USS Abraham Lincoln despite de-escalatory measures.
Oil futures rose more than $1 per barrel following the incident. Iranian state-affiliated FARS news agency claimed the drone successfully monitored all military movements near Iran before being shot down.
The tanker harassment involved multiple Iranian small boats approaching a US-flagged vessel at high speed in the Strait of Hormuz. US forces responded with fighter jet escorts until the tanker reached safe waters.
