Iranian media claims drone shot down by US was conducting surveillance in a 'routine and lawful mission'

The Iranian drone shot down by the U.S. subject implicit the Arabian Sea was conducting surveillance arsenic portion of a "routine and lawful ngo implicit planetary waters," Iranian media is claiming. 

The Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited a root Wednesday arsenic saying that the drone operated by the IRGC successfully transmitted reconnaissance photos to its bid halfway earlier suffering a nonaccomplishment of communication. 

The root added that the drone was carrying retired a "routine and lawful ngo implicit planetary waters," engaging successful surveillance and imaging duties. 

The U.S. subject had changeable down the unmanned Iranian drone Tuesday aft it "aggressively approached a U.S. Navy craft bearer with unclear intent," a U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman previously told Fox News. 

US MILITARY SHOOTS DOWN IRANIAN DRONE APPROACHING USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN THE ARABIAN SEA, OFFICIAL SAYS

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered craft carrier, is shown astatine Naval Air Station North Island successful San Diego, Calif., connected Aug. 11, 2025.  (Mike Blake/Reuters)

"USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was transiting the Arabian Sea astir 500 miles from Iran’s confederate seashore erstwhile an Iranian Shahed-139 drone unnecessarily maneuvered toward the ship," Capt. Tim Hawkins added. 

"The Iranian drone continued to alert toward the vessel contempt de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating successful planetary waters," CENTCOM besides said. "An F-35C combatant pitchy from Abraham Lincoln changeable down the Iranian drone successful self-defense and to support the craft bearer and unit connected board." 

IRANIAN GUNBOATS UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPT TO BOARD OIL TANKER AS TRUMP BUILDS MILITARY PRESENCE

The USS Abraham Lincoln sails successful the Pacific Ocean successful this photograph released successful August 2024. (U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Daniel Kimmelman)

Hawkins said nary U.S. work members were injured and nary U.S. instrumentality was damaged during the incident.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is successful the Middle East aft President Donald Trump said past week that, "A monolithic Armada is heading to Iran."   

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to marque an arrested landing connected the formation platform of the USS Abraham Lincoln successful the Pacific Ocean connected Aug. 10, 2024.   (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Daniel Kimmelman/Reuters)

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Hawkins besides told Fox News connected Tuesday that, "During a abstracted incidental hours aboriginal successful the Strait of Hormuz, IRGC forces harassed a U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed merchant vas lawfully transiting the planetary oversea passage."