The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that its forces hit the Iranian drone carrier, Shahid Bagheri, during initial strikes on Iran.
The announcement follows claims from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that they struck and sank a US aircraft carrier.
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CENTCOM stated via X: “The Iranian regime’s false messaging machine continues to falsely claim that it has sunk a US aircraft carrier. The only carrier that has been hit is the Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian drone carrier. US forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury.”
IRGC claimed that four ballistic missiles had hit the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf, allegedly in retaliation for US and Israeli operations resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
“The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles,” said the Guards in a statement published by local media.
CENTCOM, however, denied these assertions, labelling them as “lie”.
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By GlobalData“The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” CENTCOM clarified on X.
Iran launched Shahid Behman Bagheri (C-110-4), its first domestically produced uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) carrier on 6 February 2026.
According to non-profit Alma Research & Education Centre, it is the largest vessel in service with Iran’s IRGC Navy.
The vessel is capable of deploying UAVs and helicopters and is armed with cruise and anti-ship missiles from the Noor, Qader, and Ghadir families, as well as several cannons believed to be between 20mm and 30mm calibre.
The Shahid Bagheri entered service alongside another large IRGC Navy ship, the Shahid Mahdavi (C-110-3).
Alma Research & Education Centre noted that beyond UAV and helicopter deployment, the Bagheri includes a range of operational features.
Operation Epic Fury began on 28 February under orders from the US President. The operation involved coordinated strikes by US and Israel against selected targets in Iran, focusing on dismantling elements of the regime’s security infrastructure identified as posing immediate risks.
CENTCOM has confirmed that the operation resulted in the deaths of six US service members.
