A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East on Tuesday, Washington said, as renewed tensions on the high seas overshadowed plans for nuclear talks.

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.

The downing of the drone was the second clash between the foes in Middle Eastern waters on the same day, after Iranian forces attempted to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington and Tehran have agreed to talks after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened Iran with military action — and Iran warned that it would respond with strikes on US vessels and bases.

The United States bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last summer, and has sent a naval battlegroup back to the region since Tehran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

Negotiations are now set for Friday, but Trump has refused to rule out military action and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian insists talks will only go ahead provided they were free of threats.