US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States is continuing talks with Iran to reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf. Trump's comments came as the US military announced that it had shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea.
The US military claims that an Iranian drone was shot down in the Arabian Sea after it came close to its aircraft carrier.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said that talks are underway with Iran, but he declined to give details about where those talks are taking place.
Trump said, "These discussions are happening in different places; but the discussions are happening—that's for sure. They want to do something. Now let's see if something happens in the end. They had an opportunity a few days ago; but it didn't work out then."
"We did Operation 'Midnight Hammer.' I think they don't want to let that happen again," Trump added.
In that operation, which was carried out in June last year, the US Air Force and Navy jointly attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump has been pressing Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program, and has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests. Last week, the US sent the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Persian Gulf, raising fears of a potential military conflict.
However, in recent days, efforts to find a solution have intensified at the initiative of regional powers, which has eased tensions somewhat.
Yesterday, Iranian President Masoud Pajhwok said he had instructed the country's foreign minister to move forward with fair and equal talks with the United States, if the environment is right and following the "principles of dignity, prudence and reality."
Pezeshkian also said that this discussion must take place within the framework of Iran's national interests.
Amid the Iranian president's announcement, the US Central Command said that a fighter jet flying from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone in self-defense.
CENTCOM spokesman Tim Hawkins said the action was taken to ensure the safety of the aircraft carrier and its sailors. He said the F-35C fighter jets taking off from the Lincoln shot down the Iranian-made Shahed-139 drone while the carrier was about 500 miles (800 kilometers) off the southern coast of Iran.
The spokesman added that the drone was aggressively approaching the aircraft carrier. The drone continued to approach the ship despite various measures taken by US forces stationed in international waters to de-escalate tensions.
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