The Iranian drone shot down by the US military over the Arabian Sea was conducting surveillance as part of a “routine and lawful mission over international waters,” Iranian media claim.
The Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), quoted a source on Wednesday saying that the IRGC-controlled drone successfully transmitted reconnaissance photos to the command center before losing communications.
The source added that the drone was conducting a “routine and lawful mission over international waters,” engaging in surveillance and imaging duties.
US MILITARY SHOOTING IRANIAN DRONE APPROACHING USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN ARAB SEA, OFFICIAL SAYS
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is shown at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, on August 11, 2025. (Mike Blake/Reuters)
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea, approximately 500 miles off the southern coast of Iran, when an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship,” Captain Tim Hawkins added.
“The Iranian drone continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures by U.S. forces operating in international waters,” CENTCOM also said. “An Abraham Lincoln F-35C fighter jet shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board.”
Iranian Gunboats Try in vain to Board an Oil Tanker as TRUMP BUILD MILITARY PRESENCE
USS Abraham Lincoln sails in the Pacific Ocean in this photo released in August 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Sailor Apprentice Daniel Kimmelman)
Hawkins said no U.S. service members were injured and no U.S. equipment was damaged during the incident.
USS Abraham Lincoln is in the Middle East after President Donald Trump said last week, “A massive Armada is headed for Iran.”
An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 prepares for an arrested landing on the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean on August 10, 2024. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communications Specialist Sailor Apprentice Daniel Kimmelman/Reuters)
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