US shares photos of USS Abraham Lincoln at sea after Iran’s claims it was struck by missile

March 7, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US military has released new photos showing the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) operating in the Arabian Sea, pushing back against Iranian claims that the vessel had been struck during recent confrontations at sea.

According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the images were taken on the same day and show the carrier continuing normal flight operations as part of its deployment in the region. The photos were shared on social media alongside a statement dismissing Iranian reports that the ship had been hit by missiles or forced to withdraw.

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CENTCOM also rejected what it described as shifting claims from Tehran, noting that Iranian officials had repeatedly asserted in recent days that the carrier had been sunk before later suggesting it had “left the battlefield” after encountering missiles and drones.

To remind, a few days ago, local media outlets revealed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck the aircraft carrier in the Sea of Oman with its naval drone units. A spokesperson for the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters said the carrier had entered waters roughly 340 kilometers from Iran’s territorial boundary while operating near the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran claims USS Abraham Lincoln struck by drones in Sea of Oman

Operations

CENTCOM’s response followed a post by Iranian outlet Tehran Times, which claimed that footage had been released showing anti-ship missiles launched from Iran toward the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.

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Now, US officials have rejected those claims, maintaining that the carrier continues to operate normally as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated across regional waters.

The events 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. The US says 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.