The US military said it struck Iran’s largest naval warship following the launch of Trump’s ‘Operation Epic Fury.’
US Central Command also rebuked Iranian leadership for falsely claiming it had sunk an American aircraft carrier in the Gulf.
‘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,’ the US Central Command said.
‘US forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury.’
Tehran reportedly used the IRIS Shahid Bagheri as a launching pad for drone attacks against US military base and Gulf allies following the death of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
US military forces previously sunk 11 naval ships operated by Tehran in the Gulf of Oman since the start of the war. The extent of damage inflicted on the Iranian ship remains unclear.
But the strike on Iran’s warship further underscores the blow dealt to the country’s naval power by U.S. and Israeli forces.
Iran has falsely claimed that hundreds of US troops were killed in retaliatory strikes. US Central Command, however, says four service members have died and 18 others were injured from strikes by Iran.
President Trump warned Americans to brace for more bloodshed and in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail warned that the conflict could last up to four weeks.
‘It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It’s always been about a four-week process so – as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less,’ Trump said.