Iran Claims Strike on USS Abraham Lincoln; US Denies Attack

Tensions escalated sharply in West Asia after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched a missile strike on the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf, following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the Guards alleged that four ballistic missiles had hit the American carrier, warning that regional waters would become “the graveyard of aggressors.” The claim was swiftly rejected by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which dismissed the assertion as false.

“The missiles launched did not come close,” CENTCOM said in a post on X, adding that the carrier remains fully operational and continues air operations in support of what it described as efforts to counter threats from Iran.

🚫Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE.
✅The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by… pic.twitter.com/AjaeHMemtA

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

US Claims Counter-Strike

In a separate statement, CENTCOM announced that American forces had struck an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette during the opening phase of what it called “Operation Epic Fury.” According to the US military, the vessel was hit near a pier at Chah Bahar and was sinking in the Gulf of Oman. The command also issued a warning to Iranian forces, urging them to lay down their arms.

Tehran has not independently confirmed the reported loss of the naval vessel.

Iranian Diplomatic Post Details Further Attacks

Meanwhile, the Iranian consulate in Hyderabad alleged that four drones targeted a merchant ship carrying ammunition for US warships at the Jebel Ali anchorage, claiming the vessel was disabled following explosions. It also asserted that ballistic missiles and drones struck a US naval base in Kuwait’s Abdullah Mubarak area, alleging heavy destruction and casualties among American forces.

There was no immediate confirmation from US or Kuwaiti authorities regarding these claims.

Shipping Lanes Under Threat

Maritime security concerns intensified after reports of attacks on commercial shipping in the region. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said two vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz. One ship was reportedly hit off Oman’s coast, while another incident occurred near the United Arab Emirates. The agency did not identify the vessels involved.

Defence analysts note that anti-ship ballistic missiles have emerged as a significant threat in recent years, drawing attention during their use by Yemen’s Houthi forces in the Red Sea in 2023.

With competing claims and counterclaims emerging from both sides, independent verification remains limited. However, the rapid exchange of accusations and military actions underscores the growing volatility in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors.

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