Politics
US shoots down Iranian drone ‘aggressively’ approaching aircraft carrier: official
- F-35C shot down drone in Arabian Sea: Centcom spokesperson.
- Iranian gunboats approach US-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz.
- Fars reports vessel entered Iranian waters without legal permit.
A US stealth warplane shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively” approached an American aircraft carrier as it sailed in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, a US military spokesperson said.
“An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defence and to protect the aircraft carrier and personnel on board,” Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement.
No American service members were harmed during the incident and no US equipment was damaged, he added.
The incident comes days after the US Central Command (Centcom) warned Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against “any unsafe and unprofessional behaviour near US forces”.
Washington has deployed a naval strike group to the Middle East led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, with President Donald Trump threatening to intervene militarily following anti-government protests in Iran that peaked last month.
Meanwhile, maritime sources and a security consultancy said that a group of Iranian gunboats approached a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz north of Oman.
The Iranian boats ordered the tanker, the Stena Imperative, to stop its engine and prepare to be boarded before it could speed up and continue its voyage, maritime risk management group Vanguard said.
The vessel did not enter Iranian internal territorial waters and was escorted by a US warship, the maritime risk management group said. An American official confirmed it was US flagged.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations earlier said that a group of armed boats attempted to intercept a vessel 16 nautical miles (30 km) north of Oman, without identifying the vessel or the boats.
The agency said it was investigating the incident, which happened in the inbound Traffic Separation Scheme of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency cited unnamed Iranian officials as saying later on Tuesday that a vessel had entered Iranian territorial waters without the necessary legal permits, was warned and left the area “without any special security event taking place.”
The strait links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea beyond.
Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq export most of their crude via the strait, mainly to Asia.
Three vessels, two in 2023 and one in 2024, were seized by Iran near or in the strait. Some of the seizures followed US seizures of tankers related to Iran.
Dubai: Dubai has introduced a thoughtful gesture to express care and appreciation for travellers, offering departing passengers souvenir gifts and thank-you messages as regional tensions continue.
Dubai authorities said the initiative reflects gratitude for visitors’ patience and cooperation during a period of heightened security concerns, while reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to safety and well-being.
At Dubai Airports, passengers leaving the city are being handed small tokens of appreciation along with printed cards thanking them for their understanding and wishing them a safe journey home, while expressing hope to welcome them back soon.
Although no formal statement has been issued, the move appears aimed at maintaining traveller confidence and reinforcing Dubai’s image as a reliable global hub.
Airport operations have continued with some disruption despite the regional situation, supported by contingency planning and enhanced safety measures for residents and international travellers alike.
Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid ul Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Families and communities are coming together for prayers, feasts, and charitable giving, reflecting on a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and devotion. The celebrations are filled with joy, greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” and acts of kindness that highlight the essence of the festival.
Rescuers were searching for the crew and passengers of a Qatari military helicopter that crashed in the Gulf state´s waters after a “technical malfunction”, the government said early Sunday.
“A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State,” Qatar’s defence ministry said in a statement posted to X. “Searching operation for its crew members and passengers is in progress.”
The interior ministry said that several specialised teams have been deployed.
Qatar has not specified where the helicopter was flying or the number of people on board.
While Qatar has been targeted by several strikes since the start of the Middle East war, no connection has been made between this chopper and the conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Sri Lanka GDP grows 4.8% in Q4; full-year growth at 5%
Suparco rolls out Space4Climate initiative for climate monitoring
‘Crisis worse than two 1970s oil shocks put together’: IEA chief’s big warning on Strait of Hormuz – The Times of India
-
Tech1 week agoTips and Advice for Buying Used or Refurbished Electronics
-
Business1 week agoUAE savings strategies 2026 explained: Best apps, tools, budget rules and smart money hacks to beat rising cost of living in emirates – The Times of India
-
Sports1 week agoJapan suffers shocking collapse to Venezuela in World Baseball Classic
-
Politics1 week agoHow can US get out of Iran war?
-
Entertainment1 week agoStrategic oil stocks to be released ‘immediately’ in Asia and Oceania: IEA
-
Entertainment1 week agoIran at war
-
Entertainment1 week agoMeet one of the last true paparazzi
-
Sports1 week agoCollege Basketball Invitational abruptly cancels 2026 tournament