Iran Claims Missile Strike on USS Abraham Lincoln; US Denies Vessel Remains Operational
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has claimed that its ballistic missiles struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, rendering it inoperable and forcing it to withdraw from the Persian Gulf. However, Washington has disputed the assertion, stating that the carrier continues to support Operation Epic Fury.
US media reported that an Iranian vessel sailed too close to the carrier and American forces fired upon it, though it remains unclear whether the vessel was hit.
In a statement on Friday 13 March, the Headquarters of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) stated that a precision operation involving advanced missiles and drones struck the USS Abraham Lincoln approximately 340 kilometres from Iran’s maritime boundary in the Oman Sea.
Iranian state television reported that following the attack, the US vessel and its strike group appeared to flee the area at high speed. However, the television outlet provided no details supporting the claim. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard had previously claimed to have struck the Lincoln, but the Pentagon at that time stated that the launched missiles did not even approach the target.
Immediately after Iran’s report emerged, the US rejected it. US Central Command (Centcom) posted images of the American warship, stating: “The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group continues to support Operation Epic Fury and project power from the sea.”
According to CBS News reporting, US Navy vessels attempted to fire on the Iranian vessel using Mark 45 automatic naval guns, 54-calibre, five-inch cannons mounted on the forward deck of destroyers and cruisers.
The specific US naval vessel that fired on the Iranian ship is not immediately clear. However, citing US officials, CBS News reported that US fire missed the Iranian vessel several times. It is also unclear whether this was intended as a warning shot.
The incident was reported to have occurred early this week, and the status of the Iranian vessel remains unknown.
The United States deployed two carriers—USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln—to the Middle East to participate in a major air campaign against Iran launched by Washington alongside Israeli forces on 28 February. Two additional warships, USS Spruance and USS Michael Murphy, both destroyers, were reported to be operating above the Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Six additional guided-missile destroyers were also positioned in the Arabian Sea until last week.