WASHINGTON, — March 1, 2026 : The United States Department of Defense has rejected claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it successfully struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, stating that the projectiles failed to reach the vessel and caused no damage.
In an official statement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles directed toward the Nimitz-class carrier operating in the Arabian Sea. However, the command stated that the missiles “didn’t even come close” to the ship and that the carrier remains fully operational.
Iranian Claim and U.S. Denial
Earlier Sunday, Iranian state media carried a statement from the IRGC asserting that four ballistic missiles had hit the USS Abraham Lincoln. Iranian officials described the launch as a retaliatory measure following the start of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.
CENTCOM dismissed the claim in a public statement posted on the social media platform X, stating: “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM operations.”
U.S. defense officials confirmed that there was no impact on the carrier, no structural damage, and no reported casualties aboard the vessel.
Operational Status of the Carrier
According to the Pentagon, the USS Abraham Lincoln continues to conduct standard flight operations in support of U.S. Central Command activities in the region. The carrier is deploying F/A-18E Super Hornet and F-35C fighter aircraft as part of ongoing missions.
Officials did not disclose the precise distance between the missiles’ trajectories and the carrier’s location, nor did they specify the number of missiles launched beyond acknowledging the attempted strike.
Defensive and Technical Factors
While the Pentagon did not detail the defensive measures employed, military officials indicated that the failure of the missiles to approach the carrier could be attributed to several factors, including interception by naval air and missile defense systems, inaccurate targeting data, or missile guidance limitations.
Carrier Strike Groups typically operate with layered air defense systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize incoming threats at extended ranges. These systems are intended to prevent hostile projectiles from breaching the inner defensive perimeter of high-value naval assets.
Defense officials declined to provide additional technical specifics regarding radar tracking data, interception timelines, or engagement distances.
Broader Operational Context
The attempted missile strike occurred amid escalating military activity following the launch of U.S. Operation Epic Fury and Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, 2026. The operations targeted sites within Iran and resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to previously released information.
The Pentagon confirmed that the broader conflict has resulted in U.S. casualties. CENTCOM reported that three American service members have been killed in action and five others seriously wounded during ongoing combat operations against Iranian forces. Additional personnel sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions. The identities of the deceased are being withheld for 24 hours pending notification of next of kin.
Separately, U.S. forces conducted strikes against Iranian naval assets. CENTCOM stated that an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was struck at the beginning of the operation. The vessel is reported to be sinking at a pier in the southern Iranian port city of Chah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman.
No Damage Reported to USS Abraham Lincoln
The Department of Defense reiterated that the USS Abraham Lincoln was not struck and that its operational capacity remains unaffected. Officials emphasized that the missiles launched toward the carrier did not pose a direct threat to the ship or its crew.
No further details have been released regarding missile launch locations, engagement sequences, or additional retaliatory measures. The Pentagon stated that U.S. forces in the region remain on operational footing as military activities continue.
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