Iran says it fired missile at USS Abraham Lincoln carrier after warning

Iran has claimed that it launched a cruise missile towards the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, according to Iranian state television. However, there is no immediate confirmation or response from US officials.

Iranian Army public relations said coastal cruise missiles were fired in the direction of the US aircraft carrier.

The development comes after the Iranian Navy issued a direct warning to the United States, saying that the USS Abraham Lincoln is under close surveillance and could be targeted if it approaches Iranian territory.

According to a report by state broadcaster Press TV, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani warned that the aircraft carrier would be struck by the Army Navy if it entered the range of Iran’s missile systems. He said the vessel is being constantly monitored.

The warning was accompanied by broader remarks from senior Iranian military officials dismissing American influence. Press TV reported that Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the “strategic power” previously claimed by the United States had now “turned into a strategic defeat.”

These remarks follow what has been described as a de-escalation by US President Donald Trump, who stepped back from a 48-hour ultimatum to launch strikes against Iranian power plants. The shift reportedly came after Iran warned that any such attack would be met with reciprocal strikes on energy and power infrastructure across the region.

Responding to the change in the US stance, Zolfaqari said, “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.”

The comments also appeared to counter Trump’s claims on his Truth Social platform, where he said both countries had held “very good and constructive conversations” over the past two days towards resolving hostilities in West Asia.

However, Press TV cited an informed source in Tehran as saying that no official communication had taken place between the two sides. Zolfaqari echoed this position, stating that the era of relying on Washington’s assurances is over.

“The era of your promises is over. 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,” he said.

He also mocked what he described as internal divisions within the US administration, questioning whether the “level of your infighting reached the point of negotiating with yourselves.”

Zolfaqari further claimed that previous levels of US investment and energy prices in the region would not return, asserting that regional stability is now determined by Iran’s military capabilities.

“Stability in the region is ensured by the powerful hand of our armed forces,” he said, describing the situation as “stability through power.”

He added that there would be no return to the previous status quo unless the idea of military action against Iran is “completely erased.”

“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,” he said.

Source: India Today

--Agencies