By vmg@gmail.com 
Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that four ballistic missiles struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. However, the United States military has firmly denied the claim, calling it “a lie.”
The dispute follows escalating hostilities in the region after reported US and Israeli strikes inside Iran.
🇮🇷 What Iran Claimed
According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards:
- Four ballistic missiles struck the USS Abraham Lincoln
- The attack occurred in the Gulf region
- The “land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors”
Additionally, Iranian sources claimed:
- Four drones struck a merchant vessel carrying ammunition for American warships at Jebel Ali anchorage
- A US naval base in Kuwait was hit by ballistic missiles and drones
- Infrastructure was allegedly destroyed with casualties reported
Iran has also referenced increased maritime strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.
🇺🇸 US Response: “Not Even Close”
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) strongly rejected the claims.
In a statement posted on X:
“The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close.”
CENTCOM further stated that:
- The carrier continues full operations
- Aircraft are still launching missions
- US forces remain active in regional security efforts
The aircraft carrier involved, USS Abraham Lincoln, remains operational according to US officials.
🚢 Operation Epic Fury
CENTCOM also announced:
- US forces struck an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette
- The vessel is reportedly sinking at a pier in the Gulf of Oman
- The strike occurred during what the US described as “Operation Epic Fury”
Iran has not publicly confirmed the loss of the corvette.
🔎 What Are Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles?
Defence analysts note that anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs):
- Are designed to target large naval vessels
- Have been increasingly used in Middle East conflicts
- Were widely deployed by Yemen’s Houthi forces in 2023 in Red Sea attacks
Such weapons pose serious risks to commercial and military shipping in narrow waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.
📍 Maritime Security Concerns
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported:
- Two ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz
- One vessel struck off Oman’s coast
- Another struck near the United Arab Emirates
The vessels were not officially named.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.
⚖️ Conflicting Claims: What We Know So Far
| Claim | Iran Says | US Says |
|---|---|---|
| USS Abraham Lincoln | Hit by 4 ballistic missiles | Not hit, missiles did not come close |
| Merchant ship in Jebel Ali | Disabled by drones | No US confirmation |
| Kuwait naval base | Destroyed by missiles/drones | No confirmation |
| Iranian corvette | Not confirmed | Struck and sinking |
🌍 Why This Matters
- The Gulf region is witnessing rising military confrontation.
- Claims and counterclaims increase geopolitical instability.
- Oil markets and global shipping routes may face disruption.
- Escalation risks direct US-Iran confrontation.
Both sides are engaging in strong messaging, but independent verification of battlefield claims remains limited.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Iran claims missile strike on USS Abraham Lincoln.
- US military denies carrier was hit.
- Reports of strikes on shipping in Strait of Hormuz.
- CENTCOM confirms strike on Iranian naval vessel.
- Regional tensions continue to rise sharply.