CENTCOM announced that an Iranian Shahed-139 type UAV approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was shot down by an F-35C fighter jet in the Arabian Sea. Tensions in the region have escalated.
CENTCOM: Destroyed in self-defence
In an official statement by CENTCOM, it was stated that the UAV, identified as a Shahed-139 type, approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which was sailing in international waters, in a dangerous manner and did not respond to radio calls.
It was noted that the UAV was neutralised by an F-35C Lightning II belonging to the VMFA-314 squadron stationed on board the carrier. At the time of the incident, the carrier strike group was reported to be approximately 500 miles (800 kilometres) off the Iranian coast.
Military activity in the region has increased
Officials stated that no US personnel were injured during the operation and that no damage occurred to military equipment. It was also reported that immediately after the incident, military activity in the region reached its highest level following the harassment of a commercial vessel by Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
The effects of these developments on maritime security in the Middle East and on US-Iran tensions are expected to become clearer in the coming days.
