US shoots down Iranian drone approaching American aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday after it approached an American aircraft carrier, an official said, according to media reports.

"USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea approximately 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship.

"The Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said, per reports.

Hawkins said forces are ensuring the safety of US personnel, ships and aircraft in the Middle East.

"Continued Iranian harassment and threats in international waters and airspace will not be tolerated. Iran’s unnecessary aggression near US forces, regional partners and commercial vessels increases risks of collision, miscalculation, and regional destabilization," he added.