Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Sunday that its forces launched ballistic missiles targeting a U.S. aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer. The IRGC claims both vessels sustained damage and subsequently withdrew from the area.

According to a statement published by the IRNA news agency, the IRGC's Aerospace Force carried out the missile strikes, alleging that the warships had harassed Iranian ships and were involved in a maritime blockade. The statement further claimed that both vessels left the engagement area after being hit.

The IRGC cited a statement from the U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) as confirmation of the operation, stating that CENTCOM acknowledged the targeting of two naval warships. The Guard Corps issued a warning that continued U.S. military actions would be met with more severe responses from Iran's armed forces.

In a separate announcement, the IRGC reported that its navy attacked a remotely operated U.S. military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which they claimed was attempting to enter a protected zone. Details regarding the type of attack or any damage to this vessel were not provided.

The IRGC reiterated Iran's stance on the Strait of Hormuz being under its management and urged the U.S. to withdraw from the region. This incident follows an earlier report from the IRGC Navy on Saturday, stating it had targeted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and three other U.S.-linked vessels in response to American attacks on Iranian tankers. CENTCOM, however, stated that Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships, which evaded the attacks without any harm to American personnel, and that U.S. forces subsequently struck three Iranian crude oil tankers.

This escalation marks a significant development in the ongoing maritime clashes between Iran and the United States.