Washington: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed on Friday that its ballistic missiles struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, rendering it non-operational and forcing it to retreat from Gulf waters.

Washington, however, denied the claim, stating that the carrier "continues to support Operation Epic Fury."

According to CBS News, a US Navy vessel reportedly fired on an Iranian ship that approached too close to the Abraham Lincoln, though it remains unclear whether the Iranian vessel was hit. The status of the ship and its crew is unknown.

In a statement, the IRGC said the US Navy carrier was targeted during operations in the region, according to AA News, citing Iranian media.

Meanwhile, an American military refuelling plane involved in operations against Iran crashed in Iraq, with rescue efforts underway, U.S. Central Command confirmed Thursday.

In a separate development, two crew members aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier currently deployed for operations against Iran, were injured Thursday in a laundry room fire, the US Navy said.

"Two sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition," a statement from US Naval Forces Central Command said.

The Navy clarified that the fire, originating "in the ship's main laundry," was "not combat-related and is contained."

The USS Gerald R. Ford is currently in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury, the massive US bombing assault on Iran launched by President Donald Trump on February 28.

"There is no damage to the ship's propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational," the Navy added.