STORY: The U.S. released video on Thursday (March 5) showing a strike on what they said was an Iranian drone carrier.

In the video, posted on U.S. Central Command's X page, a vessel can be seen being hit with smoke clouds billowing for the impact points.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the location and the date when the video was filmed.

Deck layout and superstructure of the vessel in the video resembles Iran's drone carrier, IRIS Shahid Bagheri. However, Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the vessel’s identity or current status. No older version of the video was found posted online before Thursday (March 5).

A caption accompanying the video said "U.S. forces aren't holding back on the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy. Today, an Iranian drone carrier, roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, was struck and is now on fire."

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday the United States was not expanding its military objectives in Iran, after President Donald Trump told Reuters the United States must be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran.

The Pentagon earlier this week said the military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, is focused on destroying Iran's offensive missiles, missile production and navy, while not allowing Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VIDEO RELEASED BY U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND SHOWING WHAT THEY SAY IS A STRIKE ON AN IRANIAN DRONE CARRIER

VERIFIED BY:

- Location and date could not be verified

- Deck layout and superstructure of the vessel in the video resembles Iran's drone carrier, IRIS Shahid Bagheri

- Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the vessel’s identity or current status.

- No older version of the video was found posted online before Thursday (March 5)

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: UNKNOWN LOCATION (RELEASED MARCH 5, 2026) (CENTCOM VIA X - Must on-screen courtesy CENTCOM via X) (MUTE)

1. VARIOUS OF STRIKES ON VESSEL WHICH U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND SAYS IS AN IRANIAN DRONE CARRIER