Iran and the United States have presented conflicting accounts of an alleged missile strike on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Iran claimed it targeted the carrier with missiles, while the US Central Command stated the Lincoln was not hit and the missiles launched did not even come close. Former President Donald Trump announced all 101 missiles fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln were intercepted, but the US said Iranian claims that it had struck the warship are a lie. The exact location and current status of the USS Abraham Lincoln remain unclear, though the vessel continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM's campaign.
Iran provided detailed assertions about the alleged attack. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said four ballistic missiles were fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln in waters near the Gulf region. Admiral Shahram Irani revealed a Qadar anti-ship cruise missile was used against the carrier and warned the USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier group are constantly being monitored and will be struck if within range. The IRGC added the alleged strike was part of Operation True Promise-4, a broader military campaign targeting American and Israeli assets. According to the IRGC, the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles and the land and sea will increasingly become the grave of the terrorist aggressors.
The US response emphasized the operational readiness of the USS Abraham Lincoln. The US Central Command denied the Lincoln had been attacked shortly after confirming three service members had been killed in the operation against Iran. The warship is spearheading a carrier strike group, believed to be near the Gulf, and the vessels arrived earlier this month as part of Donald Trump's massive armada. The USS Abraham Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM's campaign.
This escalation occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died in US-Israeli strikes, and authorities in Tehran say more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the US-Israeli airstrikes. Iran is continuing to launch retaliation strikes at targets across the Middle East following a US-Israeli attack on Saturday morning which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US air and naval forces, together with Israeli forces, are heavily bombarding Iran with the goal of destroying the country's military capacity.
Iran has launched a fresh barrage of missiles at targets across the region on Wednesday. Iran was accused of aiming at Israel's largest power plant, the Orot power station in Hadera, and a ballistic missile landed close to the Orot power station in Hadera, sending huge plumes of smoke. The Orot power plant was not damaged by the missile. In response, Iran has fired missiles at targets in Israel.
Attacks have also extended to Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia's defence ministry saying it destroyed at least eight drones in its Eastern Province. Missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain, and Kuwait said it shot down multiple drones but one hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, causing a massive fire.
Iran has signaled it could call on the Houthis to fire on vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to shut a shipping lane. A military official said Iran has both the will and the capability to use the Houthis in response to any enemy action, and this is seen as a threat should the US try to seize Kharg Island, through which Iran exports 90% of its oil. The Houthis have so far sat this war out, but if they entered the conflict, it could drive up oil and gas prices and push the world economy towards a recession.
The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close.
Gulf states may become more involved, as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are considering joining the fight as they do not want the US to strike a deal with Iran. Tehran has vowed revenge and has been striking key targets across the UAE.
Disputed claims have emerged about attacks on other military assets. Iran has shared disputed footage of an alleged strike on a US F-35 jet, and according to the IRGC, the stealth jet was struck by air defence systems over central Iran in the early hours of Thursday. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the F-35 jet was flying a combat mission over Iran when it was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday, adding the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation. The Ministry of Defence was forced to deny claims a British warship was hit by a Hezbollah missile last night after speculation exploded on social media, and outlets like the Iranian Tasnim news agency claimed Hezbollah struck and destroyed an Israeli warship off the coast of Lebanon.
Additional unconfirmed Iranian claims involve hitting American ships. Iran's Revolutionary Guard says they have hit an American ship in the northern part of the Gulf, according to Reuters citing Iranian state media, and the ship is said to be on fire, according to the agency. The claim is not confirmed by the USA.
US casualties have been reported from Operation Epic Fury. Three US service members were killed and five seriously wounded in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, and several other US service members sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are being returned to duty.
Ongoing military actions include Israel continuing to pound southern Lebanon, and Iran firing missiles at targets in Israel as retaliation.
Iran has used propaganda and messaging through social media, with pro-Iran social media accounts sharing a picture of a Sejil ballistic missile being launched with a caption about negotiations.
Key unknowns and verification challenges persist, as the claim that the US carrier was struck by ballistic missiles could not be independently verified.