Iran Claims Strike on USS Abraham Lincoln; US Denies Damage, Confirms Naval Incident

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles and drones near the Sea of Oman, alleging significant damage and forcing the carrier strike group to retreat. Iran framed the operation as defending its sovereignty amid regional tensions. The US Central Command denied these claims, stating the carrier remains fully operational and shared images to support this. US officials reported firing on an Iranian vessel that approached the carrier, with unclear outcomes. Both sides maintain conflicting accounts amid ongoing Middle East hostilities.