Trump says US sank nine Iranian naval ships, ‘largely destroyed’ Iran’s naval headquarters
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Sunday, March 1, that US forces have sunk nine Iranian naval ships and significantly damaged the country’s naval headquarters, describing the strikes as part of an ongoing military campaign.
Trump said some of the vessels were “relatively large and important” and indicated that additional ships could be targeted. The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and retaliatory attacks on US positions across the Middle East.
Trump announces destruction of Iranian naval assets
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I have just been informed that we have destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships, some of them relatively large and important. We are going after the rest, they will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea, also! In a different attack, we largely destroyed their Naval Headquarters.” He added, “other than that, their Navy is doing very well!”
The president did not provide photos, video, or further operational specifics to support the claims, and the Pentagon has not publicly detailed the extent of the reported damage.
Trump stated that nine ships belonging to Iran’s navy had been “destroyed” and sunk and signaled that operations against additional vessels may follow.
The reported maritime strikes follow broader US military action targeting Iranian military infrastructure. Iran has responded with missile and drone launches, it says, aimed at US bases across the region.
Some projectiles and debris have reportedly struck civilian areas, including airport facilities, disrupting daily activity in parts of the Middle East.
In Iraq, armed groups aligned with Tehran said they launched explosive drone attacks on an American base near Irbil airport in retaliation for US and Israeli operations inside Iran.
A subsequent statement said another base was targeted with a rocket. There were no immediate reports of casualties from those incidents. Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have vowed additional action in solidarity with Tehran.
CENTCOM rejects carrier strike claim, confirms US casualties
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday, March 1, rejected Iranian military claims that an American aircraft carrier had been struck in the Persian Gulf.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps had asserted that the USS Abraham Lincoln was “struck” by ballistic missiles. CENTCOM described that claim as a “LIE,” stating that the missiles launched did not come close to the nuclear-powered vessel.
🚫Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026
✅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… pic.twitter.com/AjaeHMemtA
According to CENTCOM, the USS Abraham Lincoln remains fully operational and continues launching aircraft in support of what officials described as a “relentless campaign” aimed at countering Iranian military capabilities. The command released footage showing ongoing flight operations from the carrier’s deck.
While dismissing the carrier strike claim, CENTCOM confirmed the first US casualties since the escalation began. Officials said three American service members were killed in action and five others were seriously wounded.
Further details about the circumstances of those casualties were not immediately disclosed. They characterized the Iranian report regarding the aircraft carrier as fabricated and intended to project battlefield success that did not occur.
