Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed early Sunday that its forces struck a US aircraft carrier and a navy destroyer with ballistic missiles also saying both vessels were damaged and withdrew from the area.
In a statement carried by Iran's IRNA news agency the IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched the missiles with accusing the warships of harassing Iranian vessels and taking part in a maritime blockade. The Guards claimed US Central Command (CENTCOM) had acknowledged the strikes also calling this confirmation of their operation. Iran warned that further US military action would trigger "heavier" retaliation.
In a separate statement the IRGC said its navy also struck a remotely operated US military vessel attempting to enter a protected zone of the Strait of Hormuz though no details were given on the attack or resulting damage. Iran reiterated that it considers the strait under its control and called on the US to withdraw from the region.
Earlier Saturday the IRGC Navy said it had targeted three oil tankers in the strait and three US-linked vessels elsewhere with describing the strikes as retaliation for American attacks on Iranian tankers.
However, CENTCOM offered a different account, saying Iran fired ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships both of which evaded the attacks with no personnel harmed. CENTCOM added that US forces subsequently struck three Iranian crude oil tankers.
The conflicting claims come amid an escalating confrontation that began in February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
