U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) moved to debunk a series of claims by Russian and Iranian state media on Monday, following a drone strike in Bahrain that left dozens of civilians injured.
According to official military statements, Russian and Iranian outlets initially reported that a U.S. Patriot missile had malfunctioned during an interception attempt, accidentally striking a residential neighborhood in Bahrain. CENTCOM labeled these reports a “LIE,” stating that the damage was actually caused by an Iranian drone.
The Bahraini government confirmed that the strike hit a neighborhood in the Sitra area, injuring 32 civilians. Among the victims were children who required immediate medical treatment and surgical intervention. Bahraini health officials reported that several victims, including a two-month-old infant and a 17-year-old girl, remain under specialized care.
This latest back-and-forth follows a week of conflicting reports regarding the status of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Iranian state media claimed for five consecutive days that the aircraft carrier had been sunk.
“First, the Iranian regime claimed and re-claimed (five days in a row) that it sank USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Now, the regime claims the aircraft carrier has miraculously resurfaced and “left the battlefield” after “encountering Iranian missiles and drones.” NEED WE SAY MORE?” said CENTCOM.
U.S. officials also addressed rumors regarding the loss of air assets. On March 5, social media reports suggested a U.S. fighter jet had been shot down over Basra, Iraq. CENTCOM dismissed these claims as “baseless and NOT TRUE,” clarifying that no American aircraft had been lost in that sector.
The U.S. military has emphasized that its operations in the region are focused on neutralizing military threats, while accusing the Iranian regime of using propaganda to mask strikes on civilian infrastructure.
READ: AI WAR: Anthropic Sues White House In California Over “Woke” Blacklist
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
