Talks are scheduled between the United States and Iran on Friday, as indicated by local reports. The anticipated meeting between US and Iranian officials is set to take place in Oman, as reported by multiple Iranian news sources. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Tuesday that the talks were expected “later this week,” amidst doubts following the incident where American forces downed an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea. Leavitt stated, “President Trump always prefers diplomatic efforts initially, but it requires cooperation from both parties.”
The US Central Command reported that an F-35C stealth fighter jet intercepted and shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in an “aggressive” manner in the Arabian Sea, with unclear intentions. The drone, identified as an Iranian Shahed-139, was flying toward the ship despite attempts by US forces to de-escalate the situation in international waters. The drone was ultimately taken down by a fighter jet from the aircraft carrier.
According to a statement from Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the command, the USS Abraham Lincoln was sailing in the Arabian Sea about 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast when the Iranian drone made unnecessary maneuvers towards the ship. The Tasnim news agency, linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited an anonymous source affirming that the drone was conducting a lawful and routine mission in international waters, involving reconnaissance, monitoring, and imaging, which are considered standard and legal activities.
Tensions between the US and Iran have heightened as President Donald Trump contemplates military actions against Iran. Leavitt mentioned that President Trump is keeping the option of military intervention open, with a significant number of US warships present in the region. She stated in a Fox News interview that various options, including the use of military force, are on the table, highlighting the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in the past as a reminder to Iranian authorities.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three warships, arrived in the Middle East on January 26 after departing from San Diego in late November. Earlier, Trump had announced that a US “armada” was heading towards Iran, although expressing a hope to avoid using it if possible. Reports indicated that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been relocated to a secure underground shelter in Tehran, as tensions escalated. Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, cautioned the US and Israel to avoid misjudgments and stated that Iran was fully prepared to act upon commands.
Amidst the escalating situation, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) based in the US reported that 6,854 individuals have been confirmed dead in the Iranian government’s forceful crackdown on protests, with an additional 11,280 deaths under investigation.