Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Sunday morning that it fired ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer in the Persian Gulf, hitting both vessels and forcing them to withdraw from the conflict zone. The IRGC also threatened a 'massive response' if US attacks continue. The report has not been independently verified.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a new statement at approximately 09:38 Jerusalem on Sunday, claiming that it struck a US aircraft carrier and a destroyer in the Persian Gulf with ballistic missiles, asserting that both vessels were hit and forced to retreat from the area. The IRGC additionally warned of a "massive response" should American strikes continue.
The claim marks an escalation in Tehran's narrative. Earlier Sunday, at 02:24 Jerusalem, the IRGC first claimed an attack on a US aircraft carrier and warship, accusing the vessels of interfering with Iranian shipping and participating in a "maritime siege" on Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) subsequently confirmed that missiles were launched at US Navy ships but denied any damage, stating that the carrier and accompanying vessel successfully evaded the attack. The latest IRGC statement introduces the use of ballistic missiles, alleges direct hits, and describes a forced withdrawal—details absent from the earlier claim and contradicted by CENTCOM's account.
The IRGC has issued a series of similar unverified claims in recent months. As The Zioneer has reported, these include a July 9 claim of a 10-missile strike on a US command center and Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, a September 1 claim of missiles fired from Isfahan toward US bases, a June 5 claim of warning shots at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, a June 10 claim of a ballistic missile strike on US forces departing Bahrain, and a July 12 threat to strike additional US bases in the region. None have been independently confirmed by US or allied sources.
As of 09:39 Jerusalem, the US military and the Pentagon have not issued any statement regarding the latest IRGC claim. The conflicting accounts between Tehran and Washington remain unresolved, with no independent verification available.
3 developments
- DevelopingIRGC claims ballistic missile strike on US forces departing Bahrain
- DevelopingIRGC claims it fired SAM at US F-16 over Persian Gulf, forcing it to withdraw
- DevelopingIranian Guards Fire Warning Shots at US Warships in Gulf of Oman
- DevelopingFootage from Zanjan appears to show IRGC ballistic missile launches toward US bases in Gulf
Source and signal
- Open-source intake