World
US-Iran Talks ‘Still Scheduled’ After Drone Incident: White House
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that US envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected to have conversations with the Iranians late this week, despite the incident.
A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East on Tuesday (Feb 3), Washington announced. Renewed tensions in the region overshadow plans for nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which have been agreed to after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened military action and Iran warned of retaliatory strikes.
The downing of the drone was the second incident involving the two nations in the Middle Eastern waters on the same day. Previously, Iranian forces attempted to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington and Tehran have agreed to talks, but Trump has refused to rule out military action, while Pezeshkian insisted that they would only proceed if free from threats.
The United States bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last summer and sent a naval battlegroup back to the region following Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Negotiations are now scheduled for Friday but Trump has not committed to their occurrence, citing concerns about possible threats.
“An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defence,” Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement. The aircraft carrier was dispatched to the Arabian Sea last month amid a buildup of American forces.
US outlet Axios reported that Iran wanted the venue moved to Oman, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Witkoff in Jerusalem that Iran “cannot be trusted,” according to his office’s statement. Tehran opposes the United States’ nuclear program and claims it is for civilian research purposes, but US officials believe Iran aims to acquire nuclear weapons.
Tens of thousands have been arrested in connection with anti-government protests across Iran since December. The Iranian government has acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest but insists most were security forces members or civilians killed by protesters. NGOs report at least 6,854 deaths, mostly protesters killed by authorities, while other rights groups suggest a much higher number.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed that at least 50,235 arrests have been made related to the protests and that further detentions are ongoing.