Overview
- CENTCOM said an Iranian Shahed-139 drone approached the carrier about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast and was shot down by an F-35C in self-defense, with no U.S. injuries or damage reported.
- Hours later, two IRGC fast boats and a Mohajer drone threatened to board the U.S.-flagged M/V Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz before the destroyer USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety with U.S. Air Force support.
- The Abraham Lincoln strike group recently arrived as part of a broader U.S. buildup in the region that officials say is meant to deter Iran and protect commercial shipping.
- Iranian leaders have signaled openness to negotiations, with talks expected this week as diplomats weigh venue options reported to include Turkey or Oman.
- Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported a drone lost communication during a surveillance mission, and oil futures rose more than $1 per barrel after the U.S. shootdown became public.