Iran Claims Lincoln Hit By Missiles; U.S. Says No Strike Occurred
Iran claims strike on USS Abraham Lincoln; U.S. military says no hit.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its ballistic missile and drone attack struck the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln — asserting significant damage to the carrier as part of its ongoing actions against U.S. forces amid rising Middle East tensions. Iranian state‑linked outlets and IRGC statements circulated this assertion across regional media.
However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has categorically denied these claims, stating that the missiles did not hit, nor came close to, the Abraham Lincoln. A spokesperson emphasised there is no evidence of damage or impacts to the carrier, rejecting Iranian reports as inaccurate. CENTCOM maintains that U.S. forces remain fully operational and that the strike group continues its deployment without disruption.
These conflicting narratives emerge amid broader tensions sparked by the U.S. military’s increased presence in the Middle East under Operation Epic Fury, a campaign targeting Iranian capabilities after years of hostilities and retaliation cycles. Previously, the U.S. has also shot down an Iranian drone that approached the Abraham Lincoln in international waters, further demonstrating direct engagements between the two countries’ forces.
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Independent fact‑checkers have analysed social media videos purporting to show the Lincoln damaged, finding such clips inaccurate or unrelated to verified events. The Pentagon and CENTCOM reiterated that there are no credible reports supporting Tehran’s claim that the carrier was struck by missiles or suffered harm.
The USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying strike group remain key elements of the U.S. naval presence in the region, tasked with power projection and deterrence. While asymmetric threats such as drones and fast attack craft present evolving challenges, the U.S. Navy maintains layered defenses designed to protect high‑value assets such as aircraft carriers.
In short: Iran claims a successful strike; U.S. military officials deny it outright. At this time, independent verification for any damage is lacking, and the U.S. position remains that the carrier was not hit.
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