Washington: Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed on Friday that the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln had been significantly damaged after a ballistic missile and drone attack. Iran also said that the warship was forced to retreat from the Gulf waters after the strike.
Washington has, however, denied the claim, saying the American aircraft carrier “continues to support Operation Epic Fury”.
According to US media reports, an Iranian vessel sailed too close to the aircraft carrier, but the American troops opened fire on it. It is yet not clear whether the ship was hit.
What Iran has claimed
In a statement, Iran’s Central Headquarters of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that a precision operation involving advanced missiles and drones struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier approximately 340 kilometres from Iran’s maritime borders in the Sea of Oman. The statement did not provide details on the extent of the damage or possible casualties.
Iran’s state TV claimed that following the strike, the US vessel and its accompanying strike group were seen “fleeing the area at high speed”. The US military has not released an official statement on the claim, so far.
US’ Abraham Lincoln
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. It has a long history of deployments, primarily supporting US interests in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.