New Delhi: Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply, raising fears of a wider confrontation in the Middle East as the fallout from the war in Gaza continues to destabilise the region.
The latest flashpoint came on Tuesday, when the US military said it had shot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea after it approached an American aircraft carrier. According to the Pentagon, a US F-35 fighter jet intercepted and destroyed a Shahed-139 drone that flew within what officials described as an unsafe distance of the USS Abraham Lincoln. US Central Command said the drone ignored multiple radio warnings and defensive manoeuvres before it was downed.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later acknowledged the loss of the drone but rejected the US account, saying it had been conducting what it called a “routine surveillance mission” in international airspace. Tehran accused Washington of seeking confrontation and warned that US military activity near Iran’s maritime borders risked further escalation.
The drone incident coincided with another tense encounter in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian fast-attack craft briefly shadowed a US-flagged commercial vessel. The US Navy said its escorts responded with flares and warning shots, after which the Iranian boats withdrew. No injuries or damage were reported.
The current US-Iran confrontation is linked to the broader regional upheaval triggered by the war in Gaza since late 2023. The conflict began on October 7, 2023 with a major Hamas terror attack on southern Israel, prompting a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Iran — a long-time backer of Hamas — responded by supplying advanced weapons and support to Palestinian fighters, and tensions grew as US backing for Israel intensified.
What began as proxy clashes expanded into direct military actions in mid-2025. In June 2025, Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, citing Tehran’s proximity to acquiring nuclear weapons and threats to its security. In an unprecedented move, the US joined these strikes, targeting Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan facilities, drawing condemnation from Tehran and fears of a wider regional war.
Iran retaliated with ballistic missile and drone launches against Israeli territory, and US forces stationed in the region intercepted some of these threats. A negotiated ceasefire briefly paused full-scale hostilities, but mistrust between Tehran, Washington and Jerusalem remained deep.
Adding to the strain is a major wave of protests inside Iran that began in late December 2025, sparked by economic hardship and political grievances. According to human rights monitors, authorities have responded with a brutal crackdown that may have left thousands dead.
The US has publicly expressed support for the protesters and used Iran’s domestic turmoil to justify heightened military readiness, while Tehran accuses Washington of interference and attempts to exploit internal divisions.
Regionally, Arab and Gulf states — including the United Arab Emirates — have urged both Washington and Tehran to strike a nuclear deal and avert further conflict, highlighting fears that open war would devastate economies and security across the Middle East.
Despite the confrontations, back-channel diplomacy has not entirely collapsed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has signalled openness to “fair and equitable negotiations” with US officials on nuclear issues, and talks involving Turkish and Omani mediation are reportedly planned.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran was prepared for “serious and result-oriented talks” provided discussions addressed what it called the “root causes” of the crisis, including sanctions relief and regional security guarantees.
Washington has welcomed what it called “signals of engagement” but said any talks would initially focus on Iran’s nuclear activities. The US State Department said Iran must demonstrate “verifiable steps” to curb uranium enrichment and de-escalate regional actions.
The European Union has meanwhile heightened pressure on Tehran by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, amplifying Tehran’s sense of encirclement while complicating diplomatic pathways.
