US-Iran tensions flare after drone incident ahead of nuclear negotiations

Relations between the United States and Iran have become tense again after the US military said it shot down an Iranian drone near an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.

The US Navy said one of its fighter jets destroyed the drone early Tuesday to protect the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its crew. According to the US military, an F-35C jet intercepted the Shahed-139 drone as it flew close to the carrier, about 500 miles from Iran’s southern coast.

Iranian state media later confirmed that one of its drones was flying in international waters on a surveillance mission, but did not directly say it had been shot down by US forces.

The incident came soon after another clash in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said Iranian forces approached a US-flagged oil tanker, the Stena Imperative, using two fast boats and a drone. They said the vessels moved quickly toward the ship and appeared to threaten boarding it before leaving the area.

Despite these incidents, planned nuclear talks between United States and Iran have not been cancelled. Iran’s president said he has told the foreign minister to continue what he called “fair and balanced” talks with Washington.

Efforts to arrange the talks are being supported by Turkey, which has been working to bring both sides together. A Turkish official said the location is still being discussed.

Foreign ministers from countries including Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also been invited, showing growing regional concern over the situation.

However, Iran has raised objections to some parts of the plan. According to Reuters, Tehran wants the talks moved from Turkey to Oman and focused only on nuclear issues, not wider regional matters.

US President Donald Trump said this week that serious consequences could follow if no deal is reached, but also noted that discussions are already in progress.

For now, diplomats are moving ahead with plans for talks, even as the latest military events show how quickly tensions between the two sides can grow.