Trump claims 9 Iranian warships sunk as Gulf strikes expand
U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval vessels and inflicted significant damage on Iran’s naval command structure amid escalating hostilities in the Gulf, reports a Qazinform News Agency correspondent.
CENTCOM confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed and several others wounded during operations. It also dismissed Iranian claims that ballistic missiles struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, stating the missiles "did not come close to their target."
Iran responded with a wave of missile and drone attacks across the region, including the United Arab Emirates. Strikes were reported overnight in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to Emirati authorities, one person was killed and four seriously injured following an attack near Zayed International Airport.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said 136 ballistic missiles and 209 drones heading toward its territory were intercepted. It also reported that two Iranian drones struck a warehouse at Al Salam Naval Base in Abu Dhabi, causing a fire in storage containers but no casualties.
The base, also known as Camp de la Paix, is operated by the UAE and hosts French forces at the invitation of Emirati authorities.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London has approved a U.S. request to use British bases for limited defensive operations aimed at preventing further Iranian missile attacks. He stressed that the United Kingdom is not participating in offensive strikes against Iran and that the decision is focused on protecting civilians and upholding collective self-defense under international law.