Washington: Amid increasing tensions between Washington and Tehran, an F-35 US fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone that was flying towards
the carrier with “unclear intent”. The fighter jet from the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.
US issues statement over the incident
It added that no American serviceman was harmed in the incident, nor was any US equipment damaged. “An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board,” said Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson at the US. military’s Central Command. As per news agency Reuters.
Notably, the Lincoln carrier strike group is one of the most visible parts of a US military buildup in the Middle East in recent days. Tensions between both countries have increased over the last few days, ever since protests erupted in Iran over economic crises. Protests further intensified in the country after the country’s currency fell into historic low against dollar,the.
Amid reports of thousands being killed and several protesters being taken to custody, US President Donald Trump put his weight behind protesters and threatened the Iranian regime with tough action in case any protester is handed a tough punishment.
While this led to a war of words between the two sides, Trump later calmed down, saying he was told that no protester would be given harsh punishment. Iran on its part, had accused the US and Israel of fuelling protests in Iran. It had warned that any kind of attack on Iran would be suitably replied.
Iranian President asks foreign minister to pursue talks with the US
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said he asked the country’s foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States. It was the first clear sign from Tehran that it wants to negotiate with Washington as tensions remain high.
