Greg Myrie

Central Command, which is responsible for the Middle East, says the Iranian drone, quote, aggressively approached a U.S.

Navy aircraft carrier with unclear intent.

The aircraft carrier, the USS Lincoln, dispatched one of its F-35 fighter jets, which shot down the drone.

According to the U.S.

military, the episode was in international waters about 500 miles south of Iran's coast.

The aircraft carrier is the largest of about a dozen U.S.

ships in the region, as President Trump warns of possible military action against Iran.

Trump also says he's open to negotiations, and his envoy Steve Witkoff is in the region with tentative plans to hold talks with Iran on Friday.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

The U.S.

buildup in the region includes an aircraft carrier, multiple additional ships, and dozens of warplanes.

President Trump describes the force as an armada and says a strike would be much more forceful than the U.S.

attack on Iran's nuclear facilities last June.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spoke Sunday saying, quote, The Americans should know if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war.

Iran was hard hit last summer, but still has missiles capable of striking U.S.

and Israeli targets in the region.

Trump also says Iran wants a deal to avoid a conflict, but so far no negotiations have been announced.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

The U.S.

military now has an aircraft carrier, additional ships, and dozens of warplanes within striking distance of Iran.