US–Iran tensions are entering a delicate phase: diplomacy and deterrence at the same time. While indirect nuclear talks resumed in Oman and were described as a “good start”, a dramatic incident unfolded in the Arabian Sea — a drone approached a US aircraft carrier and was shot down by a pilot aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner later visited the carrier, reinforcing what Washington calls a “peace through strength” approach amid high-octane upcoming meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Tuesday that a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea. The engagement occurred approximately 500 miles from the southern coast of Iran as the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).