Iran claims missile strikes on US carrier, destroyer

TEHRAN

AA Photo

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Sept. 6 its forces targeted a U.S. aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer with ballistic missiles, claiming both vessels suffered damage and withdrew.

The IRGC Aerospace Force launched the missiles at the two warships, according to a statement published by the state-run IRNA news agency.

The vessels harassed Iranian ships and participated in a maritime blockade before leaving the engagement area after the strikes, the statement said.

The IRGC described an earlier statement by the U.S. military’s Central Command confirming two Navy warships were targeted as an acknowledgment of the operation.

Continued American military action will draw heavier responses from Iranian armed forces, the IRGC warned.

Escalating maritime clashes

The IRGC Navy said Sept. 5 it targeted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and three U.S.-linked vessels elsewhere.

The operation came in response to American attacks on Iranian tankers.

CENTCOM said Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.
Both vessels evaded the attacks and no American personnel were harmed, CENTCOM said.

U.S. forces subsequently struck three Iranian crude oil tankers, CENTCOM said.

The conflict has continued since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February.