The U.S. opened fire on an Iranian vessel that approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this week, two anonymous U.S. officials told CBS News. A U.S. ship reportedly fired multiple rounds from a 5-inch Mark 45 deck gun that missed, and a helicopter later struck the vessel with two Hellfire missiles. The ship's condition and the crew's status are unknown. The incident occurred in the Arabian Sea while the Lincoln strike group supported operations related to Iran.
U.S. Forces Strike Iranian Vessel That Approached USS Abraham Lincoln, Officials Say
Washington — Two U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity said an Iranian vessel came too close to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this week, prompting U.S. forces to fire on the ship.
The officials said a U.S. Navy warship attempted to engage the Iranian vessel with a 5-inch, 54-caliber Mark 45 deck gun — a fully automated naval cannon mounted on the forward decks of destroyers and cruisers and the fleet's standard deck gun since the 1970s. It is not clear which ship fired the rounds; the officials said the shots missed the Iranian craft multiple times and that it was unclear whether they were intended as warning shots.
Separately, a helicopter armed with Hellfire missiles was launched and struck the Iranian vessel with two missiles, according to the officials. The type of helicopter was not confirmed. Both Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and Marine Corps attack helicopters can carry Hellfire missiles; the MH-60R has multi-mission capabilities that include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Immediate Aftermath
The condition of the Iranian vessel and the status of its crew remain unknown. The incident occurred in the Arabian Sea while the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was operating in support of U.S. military operations related to Iran.
Forces In The Area
The USS Spruance and USS Michael Murphy, both destroyers, were embarked with the Abraham Lincoln. Officials also noted that six other guided-missile destroyers were operating in the Arabian Sea as of last week.
Official Response
CBS News contacted U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the region. A defense official replied,
“We have nothing for you on this.”
Background
The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of two American carriers deployed to the Middle East; its strike group arrived in late January as part of what President Trump described at the time as an "armada." In early February, CENTCOM said an Iranian Shahed-139 drone "aggressively" approached the carrier and was subsequently shot down by a U.S. fighter jet. CENTCOM has also said that, since the start of the current conflict, U.S. forces have damaged or destroyed more than 90 Iranian vessels.
This report is based on accounts from two anonymous U.S. officials and details remain limited. Additional official confirmation and information about the Iranian vessel and crew were not available at the time of reporting.
Help us improve.
