US strike sets Iranian drone carrier ablaze; 30+ ships targeted so far

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a video showing a strike on an Iranian drone carrier, with footage depicting the vessel engulfed in flames following multiple hits.

CENTCOM posted black-and-white footage on X on Friday showing the ship burning after the strike, adding that US forces are continuing operations targeting Iran’s naval capabilities.

According to the command, the attack is part of an expanding campaign against Iran’s naval forces.

During a briefing at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Commander Brad Cooper said that US forces have destroyed more than 30 Iranian vessels so far.

“In the last few hours alone, we struck an Iranian drone carrier roughly the size of a World War II-era aircraft carrier, and it is currently on fire,” Cooper stated.

Cooper didn’t provide further details on where the carrier was located or what kind of munition hit it, or identified the vessel. Earlier on, the US claimed to have struck Iranian drone carrier Shahid Bagheri, used for drone operations, which were carried out shortly after the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

Meanwhile, Iran reported that its forces had struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) with drones while it was operating in the Sea of Oman. Iranian state-linked outlets said the attack was carried out by naval drone units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, the claim has not been independently verified, and US officials have previously rejected similar assertions.

Earlier this week, a separate engagement in the Indian Ocean resulted in the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena. US officials told CBS News that the submarine USS Charlotte (SSN-766) carried out the attack using MK-48 torpedoes.

The attack was initially announced by Pete Hegseth, who said the Iranian warship appeared to believe it was safe while operating in international waters.

The engagement marked the first time since World War II that a US submarine has used a torpedo to destroy an enemy surface ship, according to US officials.

The attacks form part of the wider US military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, launched to counter Iranian maritime capabilities and protect shipping routes in the region.

US officials say the operation involves coordinated air, surface, and submarine actions aimed at neutralizing Iranian naval assets believed to be linked to drone operations and threats to international maritime traffic.