Leavitt Signals Limits of U.S. Diplomatic Approach With Iran After Drone Strike: 'It Takes Two to Tango'

The United States shot down an Iranian drone that approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, an incident that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said would not derail planned diplomatic talks with Tehran later this week, even as she underscored limits to Washington's approach.

Speaking to Fox News and later to reporters outside the White House, Leavitt confirmed that a U.S. fighter jet downed the drone after it flew toward the carrier "with unclear intent." The U.S. military said the aircraft was an Iranian Shahed-139 and was intercepted by an F-35 fighter jet.

Despite the incident, Leavitt said discussions between U.S. officials and Iranian representatives remain on track. "I just spoke with special envoy Steve Witkoff, and these talks as of right now are still scheduled," she said, adding that the meeting is expected to take place later this week, likely in Turkey.

Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump continues to prioritize diplomacy, but cautioned that engagement depends on cooperation from both sides. "The president is always wanting to pursue diplomacy first, but obviously it takes two to tango," she said.

.@PressSec: "CENTCOM did make the decision to shoot down that Iranian drone. It was unmanned, it was acting aggressively towards our USS Lincoln...As for @POTUS, he remains committed to always pursuing diplomacy first—but in order for diplomacy to work, of course, it takes two to… pic.twitter.com/wBwyl4MfFT

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 3, 2026

At the same time, Leavitt made clear that military options remain available. "Of course, the president has always had a range of options on the table, and that includes the use of military force," she said, noting that Iran is aware of U.S. capabilities following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.

The drone incident followed a separate maritime confrontation earlier Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian gunboats approached a U.S.-flagged oil tanker and ordered it to stop, according to maritime security firms and U.S. officials. The vessel did not comply and was later escorted to safety by a U.S. warship.

The encounters come as the United States continues to build up military forces in the region. The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived earlier this year as part of what Trump has described as an "armada" intended to deter Iranian aggression.

Maritime security analysts have warned that the combination of increased military activity and diplomatic uncertainty raises the risk of miscalculation, even as both sides signal an interest in avoiding open conflict.

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