# Russia arms transfers

F-35C Downs Iranian Drone Near USS Lincoln — A Dangerous Test of Concealment and Escalation Risks

An F-35C from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down an Iranian drone about 500 miles off Iran’s coast, a move the U.S. called defensive and Iran described as a reconnaissance aircraft that lost contact after transmitting images. The incident exposes limits in carrier stealth, demonstrates Iran’s surveillance reach, and raises the risk of inadvertent escalation amid rising regional military activity and arms transfers.