E-Paper | November 15, 2026

US fleet can be destroyed with one missile, says Iranian cleric

Reuters Published
48
IS aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln is pictured while it travels through the Suez Canal in Egypt May 9, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. — Reuters
IS aircraft carrier the USS Abraham Lincoln is pictured while it travels through the Suez Canal in Egypt May 9, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. — Reuters
comments
Whatsapp Channel

A senior Iranian cleric said in a Friday prayers sermon that the United States' navy fleet could be “destroyed with one missile”, as a US aircraft carrier headed to the Gulf, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

The carrier Abraham Lincoln, deployed by President Donald Trump's administration to the Middle East as a warning to Iran, passed through Egypts Suez Canal on Thursday, the Suez Canal Authority said.

“Ayatollah Yousef Tabatabai-Nejad,... referring to the Abraham Lincoln warship heading to the Gulf, said: 'Their billion (dollar) fleet can be destroyed with one missile'," ISNA reported from the central city of Isfahan.

US Iran Rift
World
48

Read more

Mohan
May 10, 2019 08:00pm
Yeah. Yeah.
Recommend 0
Fatih khan
May 10, 2019 08:11pm
I think it's time for India to help Iran, after all, the promises of MODI
Recommend 0
Mark
May 10, 2019 08:44pm
Yes Saddam also used to say like that but the end result was different. The same will happen to Iranian
Recommend 0
fairplay
May 10, 2019 08:48pm
Don't give the Israelis the chance to achieve their wildest dream, no Iran. Restraint, despite provocative actions, is best for now.
Recommend 0
zunaid, India
May 10, 2019 08:55pm
that was a joke...right?
Recommend 0
Vishu123
May 10, 2019 09:02pm
Best of luck
Recommend 0
Santosh
May 10, 2019 09:06pm
It is trik of america, he is giving small fish to catxh shark. Ameria nt having one ship. Dont give any chance for it.. beware. Dont be foolish
Recommend 0
Khan
May 10, 2019 09:08pm
India will send forces to Chabahar to save it.
Recommend 0
EESan
May 10, 2019 09:16pm
Destroy the US fleet? ...ok try it. Just in case you succeed in destroying the US fleet, be prepared for the destruction of Iran as a country...the US will make sure that you do not exist on the world map.
Recommend 0
Sanjay Sen
May 10, 2019 09:19pm
This is for their domestic audience...Iran is a proud country.
Recommend 0
reehana
May 10, 2019 09:30pm
Iraq too boasted with its mother of missiles and was defeated.
Recommend 0
Wahid
May 10, 2019 09:53pm
@Fatih khan, you must be kidding India helps nobody.....merely uses others for its own weird objectives!
Recommend 0
kk
May 10, 2019 10:01pm
possible......if US allow the iranian missile to fly. Iran is going to be a pie of cake for US forces.
Recommend 0
Harambe
May 10, 2019 10:06pm
@Fatih khan, Why aren't you going to help Iran Brothers!
Recommend 0
narendranath paul
May 10, 2019 10:07pm
@ Fatih Khan, as i promised India will definitely help Iran.
Recommend 0
SKY
May 10, 2019 10:15pm
That sounds like an exaggeration. What is certain though, Bolton's adventurism with starting military conflict with Iran will not be a walk in the park fir the U.S and will end up being the mother of all misadventures. The rag tag Taliban thrashed coalition forces in Afghanistan. Iran is a totally different ball game.
Recommend 0
ashutosh
May 10, 2019 10:21pm
These people have no clue. Aircraft carriers can not be sunk by 100 missiles alone (without a nuclear warhead)
Recommend 0
Sachcha Pakistani
May 10, 2019 10:22pm
That is true, but how do they plan to do it even if theoretically speaking unless they send in thousands of missiles?
Recommend 0
Rizwan
May 10, 2019 10:24pm
Whole Iran finish with in 6 hours
Recommend 0
Millake
May 10, 2019 10:36pm
Thats what happens when you let the mullahs comment on military strategy.
Recommend 0
Asifnaqvi
May 10, 2019 10:38pm
US is not terrified by the possible destruction of its naval fleet. But it is worried by the strategic depth created by iran in lebanon. iran has equipped hizbullah with missiles capable of taking warheads with them. An attack on israel by hizbullah worries US.
Recommend 0
Rehman
May 10, 2019 10:40pm
Iran talks the talk but can it walk the walk, me thinks not.
Recommend 0
Anon
May 10, 2019 11:11pm
@Fatih khan, But Pakistan being Muslim brother country should help Iran first and immediately.
Recommend 0
Hamza Khawaja
May 10, 2019 11:18pm
I bet the cleric hasn't yet seen what a Carrier Strike Group looks like. The sight of that alone can make most nation's armies refuse to fight.
Recommend 0
A shah
May 10, 2019 11:43pm
Not a good idea
Recommend 0
A shah
May 10, 2019 11:44pm
India is the only country friendly with US and Iran
Recommend 0
Struggle
May 11, 2019 12:35am
This is exageration. Nation's will power is appreciable but in reality USA military might is more superior. Notwithstanding to whatever ammunition both countries possess yet war must be avoided.
Recommend 0
Syv
May 11, 2019 12:40am
@Fatih khan, well india has advised multiple times to iran regarding their enrichment programm , also cautioned america to honour nuclear deal , but sponsoring Hamas and meddling in yemen and syria were not right choices to make , india still provides medicine and food .
Recommend 0
Nadeem Yousuf
May 11, 2019 12:54am
If Saudi Arabia can change its policy towards Israel, why can't Iran until It is in a position to take a stand!
Recommend 0
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
May 11, 2019 01:12am
At least somebody in the whole world has got the guts and the grit to call a spade, a spade, while rest of the world is timid enough to call it a " Trump's Crooked Stick?"
Recommend 0
Akhan
May 11, 2019 01:12am
It's a shame that having a such a platform.. and this cleric has no sense of reality....
Recommend 0
brmurr
May 11, 2019 01:42am
Ayatollah Yousef Should stick to cleric-ing.
Recommend 0
Nadeem Yousuf
May 11, 2019 03:52am
@Fatih khan, India itself need help-So called the largest democracy is a demo only!
Recommend 0
Observer
May 11, 2019 04:11am
And what will US do in return??? Please tell us that too.
Recommend 0
L.Ahmad
May 11, 2019 05:24am
Saddam Hussein echoed similar rhetoric during the gulf war.
Recommend 0
Mik Jaggart
May 11, 2019 05:33am
Ignorant cleric
Recommend 0
Syed Irfan
May 11, 2019 05:52am
@Fatih khan, Its a thought that they will help Iran against US. Its all about politics.
Recommend 0
CHELFLS
May 11, 2019 06:28am
@Fatih khan, Why India and why not China ?
Recommend 0
Veer36
May 11, 2019 06:36am
It is a very situation developing. I hope that somebody would intervene and bring about a peaceful way out of it. The world cannot afford a Third World War
Recommend 0
Just Do It
May 11, 2019 06:43am
One missile and that too destroying an aircraft carrier? Sorry its not a fishing boat dear but an aircraft carrier which can even withstand nuclear tipped missiles.
Recommend 0
fairplay
May 11, 2019 06:57am
@Fatih khan, Iran's foolhardy choice to trust the Indian 'friend' will burn them now. Bye bye, Chabahar!
Recommend 0
Melwyn
May 11, 2019 09:48am
Ayathollas are good at Friday sermons, let them only preach and not talk politics and weapons
Recommend 0
true
May 11, 2019 09:54am
@Mark, Iraq n Afghans were divided. Iranians are united has support from Lebanon to the Iraq today.
Recommend 0
Samina
May 11, 2019 10:46am
@Fatih khan, Modi promised to create Crores of jobs per year for young Indians. After 5 years the public find that these promises have not been kept.
Recommend 0
brmurr
May 11, 2019 08:54pm
@fairplay, Old, wise one. So, what are your bitter intentions for later?
Recommend 0
brmurr
May 11, 2019 09:08pm
@Sanjay Sen, It’s propaganda meant to depict themselves as the innocent victims, being bullied, and standing tall. In reality, it is the Iranian theocracy/dictatorship who is the bully. Just ask the millions of Iranian citizens why anyone who is caught speaking out against the clerics is routinely throw in jail, or worse.
Recommend 0
brmurr
May 11, 2019 09:24pm
@ashutosh, The aircraft carrier represents something called gunboat diplomacy. It’s a visual reminder of potential force projection that will follow any provocative move, or attempt to assert themselves militarily.
Recommend 0
brmurr
May 11, 2019 10:00pm
@Just Do It, Well, that’s not true, they’re not indestructible, but any successful attack on the fleet would trigger a lasting, devastating response. Nobody wants that.
Recommend 0

Most Popular

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Latest Stories

Opinion

Editorial

Referendum talk
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Referendum talk

Unless the PPP is deliberately using Sindh as a bargaining chip, it should issue a clarification with a clear, consistent position on new administrative units, not one tailored to protect its home turf.
Mineral wealth
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Mineral wealth

Minerals should not be presented as a solution to Pakistan’s long-term economic difficulties. The aim should be to build an industrial base rather than export raw materials.
Late diagnosis
14 Nov, 2026

Late diagnosis

AS we mark World Diabetes Day today, Pakistan faces a troubling question: how many people are living with diabetes...
Climate challenges
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Climate challenges

Pakistan cannot afford to confront its climate crises one disaster, one season and one international summit at a time.
Under fire
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Under fire

KP police are increasingly vulnerable as they play a frontline role in ongoing operations against terrorists.
Used car imports
13 Nov, 2026

Used car imports

THE government’s effort to restrict used car imports appears to be faltering. So suggest the numbers. Despite...
Dawn News English Podcasts
Subscribe