US dismisses Iran’s claim of missile strike on aircraft carrier, says it 'didn't even come close'

The United States has rejected Iran’s assertion that it struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf, describing the claim as false.

Vessel “was not hit”

🚫Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE.

✅The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by… pic.twitter.com/AjaeHMemtA

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Mar. 1 that the vessel had not been hit and that the missiles launched by Iran did not approach the carrier.

The denial followed a statement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which said it had targeted the nuclear-powered carrier with four ballistic missiles, according to Reuters.

Iranian state-linked media carried remarks claiming the strike marked a new phase in operations against U.S. forces and warning that regional waters would become a “graveyard” for what it described as aggressors.

Carrier remains operational

The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of two U.S. aircraft carriers deployed to the region in recent weeks and is currently the closest to Iranian territory.

The 1,092-foot warship is part of a strike group that includes eight escort vessels, among them six Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with advanced missile defence systems designed to intercept incoming threats.

CENTCOM said the carrier remains fully operational and continues launching aircraft as part of ongoing US-Israeli military action.

Retaliation

While disputing Iran’s account of the carrier strike, U.S. authorities confirmed on X that three American service members have been killed in action and five others seriously wounded during operations. No further details were released.

Iran has responded with missile and drone launches aimed at Israel and US-linked military sites across the region, including in Gulf states that host American forces.

The IRGC vowed revenge and pledged what it described as the “heaviest offensive operations in the history of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran" would "begin shortly toward the occupied lands and bases of the American terrorists", reported CNN.

Tehran’s missile arsenal forms a central pillar of its military doctrine.

The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence has stated that Iran has the largest stockpile of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, according to Reuters, comprising ballistic and cruise missiles capable of reaching between 2,000km and 2,500km.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iranians to take control of their country following Khamenei’s death.

Top images via uscentcom/Instagram, ussabrahamlincolnofficial/Instagram