Tehrans military announced a major attack on the US Navys USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, but Pentagon officials are calling it pure propaganda in the latest salvo of the ongoing US-Iran naval standoff. Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boasted of firing four ballistic missiles and drones at the nuclear-powered giant on March 5-6 near the Strait of Hormuz, dubbing it Operation True Promise 4. Videos from Iranian state media showed dramatic launches from the Gulf of Oman, positioned as revenge for US strikes that sank Iranian ships, including the frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka.

Spokespeople from US Central Command quickly dismissed the reports, stating the missiles didnt even come close to the 100,000-ton carrier, which continues full operations in the Arabian Sea with F-18 sorties ongoing. The Lincoln remains undamaged and mission-ready, a defense official emphasized, backed by satellite imagery showing no disruptions. This echoes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths recent highlight of a US submarine torpedoing an Iranian corvette—the first enemy vessel sunk by America since World War II—shifting focus to US naval superiority.

The exchange fits into broader hostilities ignited in late February, when US and Israeli forces launched Operation Epic Fury, targeting Irans leadership and fleet after attacks on bases in Kuwait and Qatar. Over 30 Iranian ships have reportedly been hit, amplifying fears for the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil flows. Past Iranian claims, like unverified 2019 tanker incidents, often rely on recycled footage from drills, as fact-checkers have noted with circulating clips here.

Oil prices ticked up 2% on the news before stabilizing, a reminder of how fragile Hormuz shipping remains—any verified carrier hit could surge costs by 20-30%, experts warn. For now, real-time trackers confirm the Lincolns steady position and activity. Stay tuned to CENTCOM briefings for updates as this war of words risks tipping into deeper conflict.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.