🔴 Website 👉 https://u-s-news.com/
Telegram 👉 https://t.me/usnewscom_channel
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
6:44 PM – Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Tensions escalated in the Middle East on Tuesday as U.S. forces responded to two separate maritime provocations from Iran. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone targeting an aircraft carrier, while a destroyer intervened to protect a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
The first incident occurred in the Arabian Sea, roughly 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast. A Navy F-35C fighter jet, launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln, intercepted and destroyed an Iranian Shahed-139 drone.
CENTCOM reported that the drone “aggressively approached” the carrier with “unclear intent.” Though Shahed drones are known as long-range “suicide” aircraft, frequently used by Russia in Ukraine, this specific model “unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship,” prompting the shoot-down.
Officials confirmed the jet acted “in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board.” No injuries or equipment damage were reported.
Later that day, the USS McFaul and U.S. Air Force aircraft rushed to assist the M/V Stena Imperative, a U.S.-flagged and crewed tanker. The vessel was transiting the Strait of Hormuz when it was suddenly swarmed by a Mohajer drone and two Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) fast-attack boats.
CENTCOM stated the Iranian craft had “threatened to board and seize the tanker,” and the McFaul “immediately responded to the scene to escort M/V Stena Imperative with defensive air support from the U.S. Air Force.” The military presence successfully deterred the Iranian vessels, and the situation “de-escalated as a result, and the U.S.-flagged tanker is proceeding safely,” they added.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, including three destroyers, arrived in the region just last week. Currently, the U.S. maintains a significant footprint in the area.
Despite the military friction, the White House indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that upcoming talks between the U.S. and Iran are still on the calendar.
“I just spoke with special envoy [Steve] Witkoff, and these talks, as of right now, are still scheduled,” Leavitt said. “President Trump is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango… As always though, of course, the president has a range of options on the table with respect to Iran as commander in chief.”
The incidents follow a stern warning issued by CENTCOM last Friday after Iran announced live-fire naval exercises. The command emphasized it would not tolerate “highspeed boat approaches on a collision course” or “armed overflight of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below