Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer that it accused of harassing Iranian vessels, marking another sharp escalation in the confrontation between Tehran and Washington in the region.

The IRGC said the US warships were targeted after what it described as hostile actions against Iranian ships. Iranian officials claimed the vessels were forced to withdraw from the area following the missile launches. However, the claims of damage to the American warships have not been independently verified. 

IRGC says US warships were targeted

According to the IRGC's account, its forces launched several ballistic missiles against a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer. Iranian state-linked reports described the operation as a response to the presence and activities of American warships near Iranian maritime routes.

The IRGC accused the US vessels of harassing Iranian ships and said the missile attack was intended to push them away from the area. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also warned that further attacks could follow if American forces continued what Tehran considers interference with Iranian shipping. 

US says ships evaded the attack

The US military has given a significantly different account of the incident.

According to the US Central Command's account, an American aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple Iranian attacks. The US military said there were no reported American casualties.

The contrasting accounts mean that the IRGC's claim that the warships were struck or damaged should be treated as an Iranian assertion unless independently confirmed. 

Escalation follows US tanker strikes

The latest missile claims came shortly after the United States announced strikes against three Iranian crude oil tankers.

US Central Command said the strikes were carried out after Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward two US Navy warships. Washington said the targeted tankers were connected to a network that financially supports Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

The US military said two of the tankers were disabled while a third vessel was destroyed. The developments have created a rapidly escalating cycle involving military vessels, commercial shipping and Iran's oil trade. 

Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint

The confrontation is unfolding around one of the world's most strategically important maritime regions. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, making any military confrontation involving Iranian and American vessels a potential threat to commercial shipping and energy markets.

Iran has repeatedly warned vessels operating in waters it considers subject to its restrictions, while the US has increased military pressure on Iranian maritime and oil assets.

The latest exchange therefore carries implications beyond the two countries, particularly for international shipping and crude oil supplies.

Claims of damage remain unverified

Iranian reports have claimed that the American warships were hit and forced to withdraw, but available US accounts do not support those claims.

The US military has said its vessels avoided the Iranian missile attacks and that no American personnel were injured. Independent confirmation of damage to the carrier or destroyer was not immediately available in the latest reports.

The competing narratives underline the rapidly deteriorating security situation between Washington and Tehran. With military vessels and oil tankers now directly involved, further incidents could increase the risk of a broader confrontation across the Gulf and surrounding waterways.

Trump: 'We Can’t Let Lunatics Have Nuclear Weapon' as He Jokes About Cuba Strike on Return from Iran

US President Donald Trump escalates rhetoric on Iran’s nuclear ambitions while making light of potential naval action against Cuba amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Washington cannot allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, describing the situation as a key reason behind current conflicts. Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump declared, “We’re in a war because, I think you would agree, we can’t let lunatics have a nuclear weapon.” 

The remarks come as the Trump administration continues to manage the fallout from military operations against Iran and maintains a naval blockade affecting Iranian oil exports. Trump also used the occasion to take a jab at Cuba, suggesting US naval assets could pivot to pressure the island nation upon returning from the region.

Nuclear Red Line

Trump’s comments underscored a firm stance against Tehran acquiring nuclear capability. He alleged that the Iranian government had killed thousands of protesters and claimed US actions had significantly weakened militant elements while collapsing the country’s economy. Officials in Washington have repeatedly highlighted concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme as a core security threat.

Light-hearted Threat to Cuba

In a lighter yet pointed moment, Trump joked about the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier potentially stopping near Cuba on its way back. “On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big, maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world — we’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much. We give up,’” he said. 

This comes amid a months-long US campaign pressing Cuba for major reforms, with repeated warnings of possible military action if demands are not met. The remarks have drawn attention for blending serious geopolitical strategy with Trump’s signature off-the-cuff style.

Blockade and Military Posture

US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that 45 commercial vessels have been turned away as part of the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is returning to the US after an extended deployment exceeding 300 days. 

On the diplomatic front, the administration has added Nick Stewart of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to its Iran negotiation team as talks remain stalled. Trump has also publicly stated that the US might be “better off not making a deal at all” with Iran.

Regional Ripples and Oil Shock

Oil prices surged sharply on Thursday, briefly crossing $126 per barrel — the highest in four years — before easing near $115, reflecting market nervousness over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. China has urged the maintenance of any ceasefire and the reopening of the vital shipping route, especially ahead of a possible Trump visit to Beijing later this month.

In related developments, the US approved $8.6 billion in arms sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, bypassing standard congressional review on emergency grounds. Reports also indicate the withdrawal of around 5,000 US troops from Germany, highlighting strains within NATO over the Iran situation.

Iran’s Internal Challenges

There remains uncertainty surrounding the health of Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly. Iranian officials have vowed strong responses to any further attacks, while reports suggest Tehran is struggling to counter the US blockade effectively. Hezbollah has claimed fresh attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire understandings.

The UN’s telecoms agency has condemned Iranian strikes on regional telecommunications infrastructure. Pakistan, meanwhile, has opened land trade routes with Iran to ease some pressure from the port blockade.

Looking Ahead

Trump has claimed “the war with Iran is over,” though he acknowledged lingering threats that require continued US military presence in the area. The administration’s dual focus on winding down direct confrontation with Iran while keeping pressure on both Tehran and Havana reflects a broader strategy of assertive diplomacy backed by military readiness.

Analysts note that the coming weeks could see further clarity on troop movements, diplomatic engagements with China, and the effectiveness of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade with partners like China. For now, Trump’s Florida remarks have once again placed nuclear non-proliferation and US naval power at the centre of global attention.