Gulf of Oman / Washington — Confusion and alarm are spreading after Iran loudly claimed it had fired a salvo of anti‑ship missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escorting armada, boasting on state TV that the US carrier was “sinking and in retreat.” Within hours, US Central Command released its own version of events, seeking to crush the narrative before it spirals out of control.

According to Iranian media, coastal batteries and Revolutionary Guard fast boats launched “multiple precision strikes” that scored direct hits on the Lincoln, forcing helicopters to rescue sailors from a listing deck. Dramatic animations showed a supercarrier engulfed in flames, while commentators declared “the age of American sea power is over.” Crowds in Tehran poured into the streets, celebrating what they were told was a historic victory….