Iran Claims Missile Fired at USS Abraham Lincoln Amid Rising Tensions

Iran has stated that it fired a cruise missile towards the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, according to reports from Iranian state television. At present, there has been no immediate confirmation from officials in the United States regarding this claim. The Iranian Army’s public relations department noted that coastal cruise missiles were fired in the direction of the US aircraft carrier.

This development follows a direct warning issued by the Iranian Navy to the United States, indicating that the USS Abraham Lincoln is under close observation and could be targeted if it approaches Iranian waters. As reported by Press TV, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani cautioned that the vessel would face consequences from the Army Navy if it entered the operational range of Iran’s missile systems. He emphasised that the aircraft carrier is being consistently monitored.

Accompanying these warnings were remarks from senior Iranian military officials, who dismissed any notion of American influence. Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, asserted that the ‘strategic power’ which the United States previously claimed has resulted in what he described as a ‘strategic defeat.’

These statements arrive in the wake of what has been characterised as a potential de-escalation by US President Donald Trump, who had initially issued a 48-hour ultimatum to strike Iranian power plants. This warning was reportedly retracted after Iran cautioned that any attacks carried out by the US would prompt reciprocal strikes on regional energy infrastructures.

In light of the shifting US stance, Zolfaqari commented, ‘If the self-proclaimed superpower of the world could have escaped this predicament, it would have done so by now. Do not call your defeat an agreement.’ He also refuted claims made by President Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, concerning productive conversations between the two nations over the preceding days aimed at resolving escalating tensions in the region.

Press TV cited an anonymous source in Tehran stating that no formal communication had occurred between the two countries. Zolfaqari echoed this sentiment, declaring, ‘The era of relying on Washington’s assurances is over.’ He added, ‘Today, there are only two fronts in the world: truth and falsehood. And every freedom-seeking pursuer of truth will not be deceived by your media waves.’

Zolfaqari further criticized what he perceived as divisions within the US administration, questioning if it had reached a point of negotiating among itself. He asserted that previous levels of US investment and energy prices in the region are unlikely to return, claiming that the region's stability is now dependent on Iran’s military strength. ‘Stability in the region is ensured by the powerful hand of our armed forces,’ he noted, defining the situation as one of ‘stability through power.’

He underscored that there would be no return to the previous status quo unless the prospect of military action against Iran is ‘completely erased.’ Zolfaqari concluded with a definitive statement, saying, ‘Our first and last word from day one has been, is, and will be: someone like us will not come to terms with someone like you—not now, and not ever.’