USS Abraham Lincoln Not Struck, Pentagon Confirms Amid Rising Tensions with Iran

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated following Iran's claim that the USS Abraham Lincoln was struck by missiles. The Pentagon has firmly denied these allegations, stating that the carrier was not hit. This incident follows a joint US-Israeli operation that reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Iranian officials have vowed retaliation, calling the killing a declaration of war. As the situation develops, the USS Abraham Lincoln remains active in the Gulf region, highlighting the ongoing military presence and readiness of US forces in the area.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 1, 2026, 22:12 IST

Pentagon Responds to Iran's Claims

The Pentagon has refuted Iran's assertion that the USS Abraham Lincoln, a US aircraft carrier, was hit by ballistic missiles in the Gulf. This denial comes as tensions escalate following the reported assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader. According to US Central Command, the carrier was not struck, and the missiles launched did not come close to their target, as stated in a post on X.

Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran claimed responsibility for attacking the carrier after a joint operation by the US and Israel targeted Iranian sites, allegedly resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC declared that the USS Abraham Lincoln had been hit by four ballistic missiles, according to local media reports. They further stated that their operations against what they termed 'American-Zionist enemy targets' had entered a 'new phase.'

Current Status of USS Abraham Lincoln

The USS Abraham Lincoln is actively operating in the Gulf region and has been stationed in the Arabian Sea for several weeks, as reported by Fox 5 San Diego. The carrier is homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and is the fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, named after the 16th President of the United States. Nimitz-class carriers are integral to US naval capabilities, equipped to engage targets across air, sea, and land, while also supporting humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts.

This incident follows coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel across Iran, which reportedly resulted in the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as a 'declaration of war against Muslims,' asserting that Iran has the right to retaliate against those responsible for this act. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, vowed that the Iranian military would deliver a significant lesson to international oppressors. In response, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would take strong action against any retaliation, stating, 'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead.'