US Navy Refutes Iranian Claims of Attack on USS Abraham Lincoln Amidst Rising Tensions

Recent claims by Iranian officials alleging a successful attack on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have been firmly denied by the US Navy. The escalating exchange of accusations comes as tensions remain high in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, with the US bolstering its military presence in the region.

Initial Iranian Claims and US Response

On March 1, 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initially announced that it had struck the USS Abraham Lincoln with four ballistic missiles. These claims were followed by further reports on March 5, alleging drone and cruise missile attacks, with Iran asserting the carrier had been forced to retreat over 1,000 km from the Gulf. The Week

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has consistently refuted these assertions, labeling them as disinformation. CENTCOM stated that the missiles did not arrive close to the vessel and that the USS Abraham Lincoln continued its flight operations without sustaining any damage. US Navy Denies Iran Claims

CENTCOM released photographic evidence on March 6, 2026, demonstrating the continued operational status of the USS Abraham Lincoln, conducting normal flight operations on the same day Iran claimed a successful strike. US Navy Denies Iran Claims

US Strikes Iranian Drone Carrier

In a separate development, the US military struck an Iranian naval vessel, the Shahid Bagheri, used for drone operations, shortly after the launch of Operation Epic Fury. Naval Today CENTCOM emphasized that the USS Abraham Lincoln was unaffected by any missile attacks. Naval Today

CENTCOM’s social media statements have directly countered Iranian messaging, stating, “The only carrier that has been hit is the Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian drone carrier.” Naval Today

Escalating Military Presence

The US is preparing to deploy a third aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, to the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford. This will result in the simultaneous presence of three US nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the region. US Navy Denies Iran Claims

Fact-Checking and Authenticity

Independent fact-checkers have corroborated CENTCOM’s denials, labeling viral footage purporting to show attacks on the USS Abraham Lincoln as inauthentic. Factually CENTCOM has provided images of the Abraham Lincoln operating normally and has consistently refuted Iran’s claims of a successful strike. Factually

The USS Abraham Lincoln remains on standby in the Arabian Sea, serving as a key platform for airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure.