An American F-35 combat aircraft was shot down drone Shahed-139 in self-defense as the drone “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln with “unclear intent,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement. No American soldiers were injured during the incident and no American equipment was damaged, Blommberg reports.
The Lincoln carrier strike group is the most visible part of the US military buildup in the Middle East following last month's brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in Iran. These were the bloodiest internal unrest in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
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Adam Ziemienowicz / PAP / photos
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The incident occurred as diplomats were trying to organize talks on the nuclear program between Iran and the United States. US President Donald Trump has warned that US warships are heading towards Iran and “bad things” could happen if an agreement cannot be reached.
See also: Türkiye as a mediator. There will be an important meeting between the US and Iran
Iran has over 80,000 Shahed drones
According to Israeli intelligence estimates, Iran has approximately 80,000 war-ready Shahed drones, and the current rate of their production is approximately 400 pieces per day, reported the defense portal DefenseSecurityAsia.
Shaheds are cheap, long-range attack drones, proven many times in warfare, including during the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine.
Tension between Iran and the USA and oil prices
Oil prices recently rose to their highest level in six months on fears of a US military attack on Iran. Last week Washington sent a 'huge Armada' towards Iranwhich raised fears of confrontation with this Middle Eastern country.
A U.S. attack could threaten oil flows from the Middle East, a region that accounts for just over 30%. global oil supplies.
Iranian retaliation could in turn cause disruptions to shipping through Strait of Hormuzseparating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula. Tankers carrying crude oil pass through this strait, delivering cargo around the world.
Oil prices fell on Monday after US President Donald Trump signaled a possible easing of tensions between Tehran and Washington. On Tuesday, there is a slight increase in raw material prices.
WTI crude oil prices:
Source: Bloomberg, Reuters
