Did an Iranian missile attack an American aircraft carrier? The US military responds!

Iran, new updates!

According to CCTV News just now, on March 1 local time, the U.S. military stated that the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” was not attacked by Iran, and that the missiles launched by Iran “did not even come close” to the ship. The U.S. military reports no damage to ships or personnel injuries.

Earlier, CCTV News reported that on March 1, the Iranian military announced that the U.S. “Lincoln” aircraft carrier was attacked by four Iranian ballistic missiles.

On March 1, local time, U.S. Central Command said three U.S. service members died in the Iran military operation, with five others seriously injured.

On the same day, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran’s interim leadership council began work that day until a new Supreme Leader is elected.

Additionally, on March 1, U.S. military announced that it sank an Iranian vessel, which is “gradually sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman.”

This escalation of conflict has impacted Middle Eastern financial markets. On March 1, the Saudi Tadawul All Share Index closed down 2.18%, after falling nearly 5% during the day. The Egyptian EGX30 index closed down 2.5%. The stock markets in Oman and Bahrain also weakened.

Iran Attacks U.S. Aircraft Carrier with 4 Missiles

According to CCTV News, on the afternoon of March 1, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued Announcement No. 7. The announcement stated that the aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” was attacked by four Iranian ballistic missiles.

The announcement said that Iran’s armed forces have entered a new phase of strong strikes against enemy military forces, with land and sea becoming increasingly “graves of invaders.”

Earlier, an Iranian military source claimed that Iran used the “Fateh-2” hypersonic cruise missile for the first time to attack U.S. military bases.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (IRNA) on March 1 cited a statement from the IRGC, saying that the seventh and eighth waves of large-scale offensives called “Real Commitment-4” against the U.S. and Israel have been launched. On the same day, Israeli media reported that at least 8 people were killed and 23 injured in Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem.

On March 1, multiple Israeli cities sounded air raid sirens, warning of missile attacks. The Israel Times reported that “Iran missile attack on Beit Shemesh.” Footage from Israel’s Channel 12 showed multiple homes damaged, vehicles destroyed, and fires burning at the scene. The report said at least 8 people were killed and 23 injured.

The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement that afternoon, saying that local rescue, medical teams, and a helicopter for evacuating the wounded are on the scene in Beit Shemesh. An IDF spokesperson said the warning system operated as planned and alerts were issued for the area; the specifics of the attack are under investigation.

The UAE Ministry of Defense issued a statement on March 1, saying that since February 28, Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the UAE have caused 3 deaths and 58 injuries.

The statement said that since the attacks began, 165 ballistic missiles have been launched toward the UAE, of which 152 were successfully intercepted, 13 fell into the sea; 2 cruise missiles were also intercepted and destroyed. A total of 541 drones were tracked, with 506 intercepted and destroyed, 35 entering the country, causing property damage.

The statement also said that the attacks resulted in 3 deaths, including citizens from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh; 58 others were lightly injured, involving citizens from the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani stated on March 1 that Iran has no intention of infringing on neighboring countries’ sovereignty, but that the U.S. military uses these countries’ bases to attack Iran, which Iran will respond to. He emphasized that these bases “belong to the United States,” and not the host countries.

Furthermore, Iran’s western border has recently been targeted by multiple missile attacks, including some border guard headquarters and units, resulting in at least 22 border guards killed. Iran issued a stern warning, stating that any infiltration attempts by enemies or factions will be met with a thorough response. Iran’s military and security forces are on high alert, vowing to defend national security and territorial integrity.

Iranian President: Interim Leadership Council Begins Work

According to CCTV News, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on March 1 that Iran’s interim leadership council began work that day until a new Supreme Leader is elected.

Earlier that day, Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy head of the Iranian Presidential Office for News and Communications, said Raisi is safe. He wrote on social media, “President Raisi is safe and very secure.”

On the same day, Raisi issued a statement on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, saying that revenge against the U.S. and Israel is “a duty and a legitimate right,” and that Iran will do its utmost to fulfill this major responsibility.

Iran also announced that Ali Reza Alavi was elected as a jurist by the Guardian Council. According to Iran’s constitution, if the Supreme Leader dies, resigns, or is dismissed, the Assembly of Experts must act promptly to appoint a new Supreme Leader. Until the new leader is appointed, the President, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist elected from the Guardian Council will temporarily perform the duties of the Supreme Leader.

The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed on March 1 that, based on accurate intelligence, the Israeli Air Force launched a “precise, large-scale operation” against Khamenei on February 28. At that time, Khamenei and several senior officials were in the central leadership building in Tehran. According to Iran, Khamenei was attacked during a meeting with military commanders in his office, and Raisi was not present at that meeting.

The IDF stated that during the operation on February 28, 40 “important” Iranian military commanders, including the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Musa Vaezi, were killed.

The Israeli military claimed that these 40 commanders and other senior Iranian officials, including Khamenei, were killed in less than a minute by airstrikes. The IDF said that “most senior military officials in Iran’s security leadership have been killed by Israel.”

Additionally, the IDF issued a statement on March 1 that Iran is accelerating its missile production capacity, posing a “threat to Israel’s survival,” and that Israel will not allow Iran to restore its military capabilities. The statement said that during a military operation last June, Israel prevented Iran from producing at least 1,500 ballistic missiles. Israeli intelligence detected a significant increase in Iran’s missile production speed, aiming to produce about 8,000 missiles by 2027.

Middle East Financial Markets Under Shock

The escalation of the Middle East situation has impacted regional financial markets. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia and Egypt stock markets declined, with the first wave of effects from the U.S.-Iran conflict beginning to show.

During the trading day on March 1, the Saudi Tadawul All Share Index plunged nearly 5%. By the close, it fell 2.18%, marking the largest single-day drop since April last year and erasing all gains this year. If not for the 3.4% rise in heavyweight stock Aramco, the decline would have been even larger.

Similarly, the Egyptian EGX30 index closed down 2.5%. Since the escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions in mid-February, the index has fallen over 8%.

The stock markets in Oman and Bahrain also weakened. Kuwait’s stock exchange has taken “precautionary measures” to suspend trading. Israel’s market was closed on Sunday, as it has recently shifted to a Sunday-Thursday trading week.

Over the past month, Egypt has been one of the countries most affected by geopolitical tensions in financial assets. Data shows that the Egyptian pound was one of the worst-performing currencies globally last week. On Sunday, the Egyptian pound weakened to around 48.8 per USD, the lowest since mid-2025.

Additionally, the war’s ripple effects have reached the UAE, with hedge funds and banking giants unusually drafting “wartime contingency plans.” Foreign media reports indicate that, as missiles and drones fly over the UAE, traders and Wall Street executives who have flocked to the Gulf region in recent years now face an unexpected threat in what is considered the safest hub in the Middle East.

Sources say several hedge funds have nearly immediately begun assessing business continuity plans. Major international banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have instructed local UAE staff to work from home, while other companies have urged employees to seek shelter away from foreign embassies and military facilities. Some hedge funds are coordinating with staff to arrange hotel stays outside the financial center, and others are exploring evacuation routes through Muscat, Oman.

At least one large asset management firm in the region has reportedly stated that its leadership is in contact with Abu Dhabi officials, who have assured them that necessary measures will be taken to protect residents and businesses.

(Source: Securities Times)