Trump-Iran latest: US military shoots down Iranian drone as Tehran demands venue change for talks
The incident came ahead of planned talks between Iran and the United States
The US on Tuesday shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively” approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.
An Iranian Shahed-139 drone flew towards the carrier “with unclear intent” and was shot down by an F-35 US fighter jet, the US military said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the drone incident but said that talks with Iran later this week are still scheduled to take place.
The two countries are expected to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday, according to an Axios report. The Trump administration reportedly agreed to Tehran’s request to shift the venue from Turkey, while discussions are still ongoing about whether regional Arab and Muslim countries will join the negotiations.
President Donald Trump had warned that with US warships heading toward Iran, “bad things” would probably happen if a deal could not be reached.
On Monday, Trump told reporters that the administration had “talks going on with Iran. We’ll see how it all works out”.
US military shoots down Iranian drone ‘aggressively approaching’ aircraft carrier
The US military shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday after it “aggressively” approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
An F-35C fighter jet from the Abraham Lincoln shot the drone in self-defence, with no American service members harmed or equipment damaged, the US military said.
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Iran says drone was carrying out ‘routine and lawful’ mission in international waters
The drone that the US forced shot down was on a “routine and lawful” mission in international waters, carrying out reconnaissance and monitoring, according to Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“This drone successfully transmitted its surveillance and reconnaissance images to headquarters, but subsequently lost communication. The reason for this loss of contact is currently under review,” the report said.
Iran has not responded to the US attack on its drone on Tuesday yet.
Ready to negotiate with the US, Iran president says
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Tehran is open to negotiations with the United States following encouragement from regional allies, but insisted that talks must happen without threats or excessive demands.
He posted on X that he has “instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists – one free from threats and unreasonable expectations – to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency”.
The statement comes amid rising tensions, with Iran’s supreme leader warning of a potential “regional war” if attacked, while US president Donald Trump has increased military pressure and threatened action unless Iran agrees to a nuclear deal and halts violence against protesters.
Nuclear talks between US and Iran to take place in Oman - report
The United States and Iran are expected to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday, according to an Axios report.
The Trump administration reportedly agreed to Tehran’s request to shift the venue from Turkey, while discussions are still ongoing about whether regional Arab and Muslim countries will join the negotiations, the report said, citing an Arab source.
Watch: Omid Djalili: Iranians will fight to the very end against this regime
Turkey working to ensure talks between US and Iran
Turkey has been working behind the scenes to make the talks happen there later this week as US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling in the region.
A Turkish official later said the location of talks was uncertain but that Turkey was ready to support the process. Foreign ministers from Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also been invited to attend the talks, if they happen, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity as they did not have permission to speak to journalists.
But whether Iran and the US. can reach an agreement remains to be seen, particularly as US president Donald Trump now has included Iran's nuclear program in a list of demands from Tehran in any talks. Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in June.
On Tuesday, Araghchi spoke by phone with his counterparts from Oman, Qatar, Turkey and Kuwait, but did not mention a possible venue.
Karoline Leavitt says Iran talks are still on
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, despite events in the Gulf, talks with Iran were still scheduled for later in the week.
"I just spoke with special envoy [Steve] Witkoff, and these talks as of right now are still scheduled," she told reporters.
She said that President Trump is “always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango."
Iran's foreign minister instructed to pursue 'fair and equitable negotations'
Iran's president said Tuesday he instructed the country's foreign minister to "pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States, the first clear sign from Tehran it wants to try to negotiate as tensions remain high with Washington after the Mideast country's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month.
The announcement came as a US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching an American aircraft carrier early Tuesday morning. The Iranian Mission to the UN did not immediately comment on the incident. The US military announced the downing of the drone on Tuesday evening.
Iran says 'media games' should stop around meeting with US
Iran has said the location and timing of talks with the US are not complicated issues and shouldn’t be used as a “pretext for media games”.
The country said that Turkey, Oman and other countries in the region have all expressed readiness to host the talks.
Iran has said it appreciates all friendly countries making an effort to help create the conditions for the formation of a diplomatic process.
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