Iran War Claim Sparks Fury as US Denies Carrier Missile Strike

Tension in the Middle East rose sharply over the weekend as the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes on Iran, followed by fierce counter claims from Tehran that it had struck a major US naval asset.

Iran said it fired four ballistic missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft carrier said to have launched several of the strikes on Iranian territory. American officials, however, quickly rejected the claim, insisting that all the missiles missed their target.

The exchange of claims came amid a fast moving military campaign that began early Saturday morning and continued into Sunday local time. According to US officials, the airstrikes were launched jointly by the US and Israel in response to Iran’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear programme after weeks of diplomatic talks.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes in a post on Truth Social, saying Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the operation. He also said multiple members of the Iranian leader’s family died in the strikes.

Israel later confirmed that the joint operation targeted Iran’s top leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed all the details released by Washington and Tel Aviv.

In a video message posted online shortly before 3 a.m., Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran. “It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He followed that with a direct threat, telling Iranian leaders to “lay down your arms or face certain death.”

Iran responded hours later with its own warning, saying the “first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks” had begun across Israel. Iranian media claimed the strikes were aimed at both Israeli and American interests in the region.

Footage circulating online also showed explosions near a US Navy base in Bahrain, adding to fears that the conflict could spread beyond Iran and Israel. US officials confirmed activity near the base but did not provide details on damage.

As the situation developed, Iranian officials announced that four ballistic missiles had been fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln. The carrier, according to US sources, played a key role in launching air operations during the weekend strikes.

American officials dismissed the Iranian claim outright. They said all the missiles failed to hit the carrier and caused no damage. One US official described the claim as false, insisting that the vessel and its crew remained fully operational.

The conflicting accounts underline how quickly information, and misinformation, is spreading during the conflict. With limited independent verification, both sides are pushing narratives aimed at shaping public opinion at home and abroad.

US and Israeli officials have warned that the current military campaign is far from over. According to them, operations inside Iran could continue for weeks, depending on Tehran’s response and developments on the ground.

The strikes follow weeks of rising tension after Trump warned Iran that there would be consequences if talks over its nuclear programme collapsed. The US also increased its military presence in the Middle East ahead of the weekend operation.

For many observers, including analysts following developments from Nigeria, the speed and scale of the escalation have been striking. What began as stalled negotiations has now turned into open military confrontation between long time adversaries.

As The Gazette News (Nigeria) continues to track events, the situation remains fluid. With missile claims, counter claims and ongoing air operations, the coming days are likely to bring more uncertainty to an already volatile region.