Marine F-35C downs Iranian Shahed drone near USS Abraham Lincoln

A Marine Corps F-35C operating from USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 attack drone in the Persian Gulf on February 3, 2026, after the drone aggressively approached the carrier despite US de-escalation attempts. The same day, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy boats attempted to seize the US-flagged tanker MT Stena Imperative in the Strait of Hormuz; USS McFaul intervened and escorted the vessel to safety. No US casualties or equipment damage occurred.