Two US officials reported today (Wednesday) that a US Navy warship downed a drone believed to have been launched from Yemen in the Red Sea, marking the latest defensive action by the US military in the region in recent weeks.
Amid escalating regional tensions during the Israel-Palestine conflict, Washington is on high alert for activities by Iran-backed groups, aiming to prevent a broader escalation. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the destroyer involved as the USS Carney. They noted that these are preliminary details subject to change and did not specify which group in Yemen might have launched the drone.
In October, a US warship intercepted four cruise missiles and 15 drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group from Yemen towards Israel. Last month, the US deployed a significant naval force to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, accompanying ships, and thousands of US troops.
Additionally, the US condemned the “unsafe” and “unprofessional” conduct of an Iranian drone that flew near the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower the previous day. The Eisenhower is central to one of the two carrier strike groups deployed by Washington to deter Iran and its regional allies from escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas into a broader regional dispute.
Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the Iranian drone flew within 1500 meters of the Eisenhower on Tuesday while the carrier was conducting flight operations in the Gulf, ignoring multiple warnings and violating a notice requiring a distance of over ten nautical miles (18.5 kilometers). Cooper, who commands US naval forces in the Middle East, called for an immediate cessation of Iran’s irresponsible behavior, emphasizing that US naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows to promote regional maritime security.
