US President Donald Trump said Sunday that American forces had destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval ships, and that strikes had “largely destroyed” Iran’s naval headquarters.
In a post on Facebook, Mr. 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.” The post was published as tensions in the region escalated following a series of strikes between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Separately, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had sunk an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM did not immediately provide a comprehensive accounting of the vessels referred to by the president.
Iranian officials meanwhile said four ballistic missiles struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf. The US military countered that all missiles targeting the carrier were intercepted and that the vessel sustained no damage.
The exchanges come amid broader hostilities that began when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets over the weekend, according to multiple reports. Iran has responded with missile strikes against Israeli territory and US bases and facilities across the Middle East.
Media outlets have reported heavy casualties in Iran and elsewhere. Premium Times, citing local sources, reported that more than 250 people were killed in Iran, including senior figures; the article also alleged civilian deaths, including schoolchildren. These casualty figures and specific claims could not be independently verified at the time of reporting.
US authorities confirmed the deaths of three American service members in the ongoing confrontations, while Israeli officials said ten of their citizens were killed in Iranian strikes. Both governments continue to provide periodic updates as the situation develops.
This is a rapidly evolving story. Premium Times and official US and Iranian statements form the basis of these accounts; independent verification of all claims remains pending. Further reporting is expected as militaries and governments on all sides release additional information.
