On February 3, 2026, the United States military shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. According to multiple sources, including Tribune Home and The Frontier Post, the drone was intercepted by an F-35 fighter jet in what was described as a self-defense measure. The US Central Command stated that the drone 'aggressively approached' the carrier with 'unclear intent,' despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces. The incident occurred approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Iran's southern coast, as reported by Business Recorder. This event marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, coinciding with ongoing diplomatic efforts to resume nuclear talks.