World
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims it targeted the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it fired four ballistic missiles at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, a claim that, if verified, would represent a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States.
In a public statement, the IRGC asserted that the carrier was deliberately targeted as part of ongoing hostilities. U.S. defense officials have not yet confirmed the attack or provided details regarding potential impacts, interceptions, or damage assessments.
An American aircraft carrier is one of the most strategically important assets in the U.S. military arsenal.
A Nimitz-class carrier such as the USS Abraham Lincoln functions as a floating airbase, capable of deploying dozens of fighter aircraft and supporting thousands of service members.
These vessels serve as central platforms for projecting U.S. military power across global regions.
A direct ballistic missile strike against a U.S. carrier would mark an unprecedented and highly consequential development in regional conflict dynamics.
Several critical questions remain unanswered:
- Were the missiles intercepted by U.S. or allied defense systems?
- Did any of the projectiles reach their intended target?
- Were there casualties or structural damage to the vessel?
- How will the United States respond, diplomatically or militarily?
The reported strike comes amid heightened instability across the Middle East, where exchanges between Iranian forces and U.S. or allied assets have intensified in recent days.
Military analysts note that any confirmed attack on a U.S. carrier group could prompt a substantial retaliatory response and further destabilize the region.
As of this time, U.S. Central Command and the Department of Defense have not released an official statement verifying the IRGC’s claims.
Independent confirmation of the alleged missile launch and its outcome remains pending.
Further updates are expected as additional information becomes available.
NAKHCHIVAN, Azerbaijan — Authorities in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic reported that drones launched from the territory of Iran struck locations within the region on Thursday afternoon, damaging infrastructure and injuring at least two civilians, according to an official government statement.
The incident occurred on March 5, when two unmanned aerial vehicles entered Azerbaijani airspace and crashed at separate locations within the autonomous region.
Officials said one of the drones struck the terminal building at Nakhchivan International Airport, causing structural damage to the facility.
A second drone crashed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad.
Authorities confirmed that two civilians were injured in the attacks. The extent of their injuries has not been publicly detailed, but both individuals were reported to have received medical treatment.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani government strongly condemned what it described as drone strikes originating from Iranian territory.
“We strongly condemn these drone attacks from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and the injury of two civilians,” the statement read.
Azerbaijan said the attack on its territory violates international law and warned that such actions risk escalating tensions in an already sensitive regional environment.
“This attack on the territory of Azerbaijan is contrary to the norms and principles of international law and serves to increase tensions in the region,” the ministry said.
Following the incident, Azerbaijan summoned Mujtaba Darmichilu, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Azerbaijan, to the foreign ministry in Baku. Azerbaijani officials said a formal diplomatic protest would be delivered to the Iranian government demanding clarification regarding the incident.
The Azerbaijani government has also called on Iran to take urgent steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Officials added that Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures if necessary.
Authorities have not yet released additional technical details about the drones involved or whether they were armed or conducting surveillance. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.