Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that it had targeted a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer with ballistic missiles, claiming both warships were damaged and later withdrew from the area. The United States said the two vessels had evaded the attacks and that no American personnel were harmed.

In a statement carried by Iran’s IRNA news agency, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched missiles at the two US warships. It alleged that the vessels had harassed Iranian ships and were involved in a maritime blockade.

The IRGC said both warships left the “engagement area” after sustaining damage. It also claimed that the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) had acknowledged that two Navy vessels were targeted, describing this as confirmation of the operation.

CENTCOM, however, said Iran had launched ballistic missiles towards two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters and that both ships evaded the attacks. It said no American personnel were injured.

The IRGC also said its Navy had attacked a remotely operated US military vessel that it claimed was attempting to enter a protected area of the Strait of Hormuz. It did not provide details of the attack or say whether the vessel was damaged.

The Guards reiterated Tehran’s position that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian management and called on the United States to leave the region.

Earlier on Saturday, the IRGC Navy said it had targeted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and three US-linked vessels elsewhere, describing the actions as a response to American attacks on Iranian tankers. CENTCOM said US forces subsequently struck three Iranian crude oil tankers.

The latest exchanges come as the conflict continues following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Both sides have reported military operations against each other as tensions persist in the region.