Image: from WarTranslated X @wartranslated
ABU DHABI — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a sharp rebuttal to claims by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it successfully targeted the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf of Oman.
In a statement released via social media on Sunday, CENTCOM dismissed the reports as a “complete fabrication,” asserting that the missiles launched by Iranian forces failed to reach the vicinity of the carrier strike group.
“Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck the USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. This is a LIE,” the statement read. “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.”
CENTCOM released footage showing the USS Abraham Lincoln operating within strike range of Iran.
Message? pic.twitter.com/wM9l1FeZsS
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 5, 2026
War of Narratives Amid Rising Casualties
The denial comes as Tehran’s state-aligned media circulated claims that four ballistic missiles had struck the carrier, leading to significant damage. However, CENTCOM countered that the vessel remains fully operational and is currently engaged in “Operation Epic Fury,” the U.S.-led military offensive targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
Despite the carrier strike being denied, the U.S. military confirmed a heavy toll on its personnel elsewhere in the theater. CENTCOM reported that three U.S. service members were killed and five others seriously wounded during ongoing operations on Sunday.
“Abandon Ship”: CENTCOM Mocks Iranian Navy
In an unusually blunt addition to its official communications, CENTCOM took a jab at the state of the Iranian navy, referencing the recent sinking of Iranian vessels.
“The [Iranian] ship is currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman at a Chah Bahar pier,” the command noted. Referring to President Trump’s recent demands for Iranian forces to surrender, the statement added: “As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police, must lay down your weapons.’ Abandon ship.”
A Region on the Brink
The escalation follows a series of high-stakes developments:
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The Death of Ali Khamenei: Unconfirmed reports and administration hints suggest Iran’s Supreme Leader died following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
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Retaliatory Strikes: Iran has vowed “crushing revenge,” launching missile barrages at civilian hubs and U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
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Operation Epic Fury: President Trump has stated the objective is the destruction of Iran’s nuclear and military capacity to prevent further regional instability.
While the IRGC maintains it can threaten U.S. naval assets, Western intelligence suggests that U.S. Aegis missile defense systems have successfully intercepted the majority of incoming Iranian projectiles targeting the carrier groups.