Iran has claimed that it fired cruise missiles at the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, prompting the warship to change its position. The statement, carried by Iranian state television on Wednesday, described the move as part of efforts to assert control over its maritime territory.
Missile claim and warning
"The Iranian Navy's Qader cruise missiles (shore-based anti-ship missile) targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier belonging to the US and forced it to change its position," the statement said, as reported by News18.
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Iran also issued a warning, indicating that further action could follow if US naval forces move within range of its missile systems. The development adds to rising tensions in the region amid the ongoing conflict.
Monitoring US naval movements
Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the US carrier group is under constant surveillance. He stated that its movements are "constantly being monitored" and warned that any perceived hostile approach would be met with "powerful strikes by the Iranian Navy".
Press TV reported that the operation was aimed at reinforcing Iran's control over its waters and countering potential threats from the US-led fleet.
No response from Washington yet
There has been no immediate response from the United States regarding Iran's latest claim. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Persian Gulf region as part of US operations linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
This is not the first such claim from Tehran. Earlier, on March 6, Iranian state television reported that drones from the Revolutionary Guards had struck the same carrier. The Pentagon had denied that report, stating the missiles "didn't even come close" to the vessel.
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The United States currently has two aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East. The latest development highlights the continuing strain in the region as both sides exchange claims and warnings.
