US Fighter Jet Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near USS Abraham Lincoln in Arabian Sea

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 3, 2026

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The United States military has confirmed that one of its fighter jets shot down an Iranian drone that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in international waters of the Arabian Sea.

In a statement issued Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins said that an F-35C launched from the Lincoln intercepted and destroyed the Shahed-129 drone after it flew aggressively toward the carrier and ignored several de-escalatory warnings.

"The drone was shot down in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board," Hawkins said, noting the vessel was operating approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) off Iran's southern coast.

CENTCOM stated that the Iranian UAV continued flying toward the ship with “unclear intent,” prompting immediate defensive action.

There was no immediate comment from Iranian authorities.

The incident comes as regional powers attempt to lower tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have escalated in recent weeks due to military activity in the Gulf and renewed political instability in Iran.