Washington, March 1 (NationPress) President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces have successfully destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval vessels while also targeting critical military installations, marking a significant escalation in hostilities with Tehran.

"I have just received confirmation that we have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval ships, including some that are quite large and significant," Trump stated. "We are pursuing the remainder — they will soon find themselves at the bottom of the sea!"

He further noted, "In a separate operation, we have largely obliterated their Naval Headquarters. Aside from that, their Navy is going quite well!"

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) corroborated significant air strikes carried out overnight. "Last night, U.S. B-2 stealth bombers, equipped with 2,000 lb. bombs, targeted Iran's fortified ballistic missile sites," they reported. "No country should ever question America’s determination."

CENTCOM also disclosed that an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was hit during the initiation of what is termed Operation Epic Fury. "An Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was struck by U.S. forces at the onset of Operation Epic Fury," the command indicated. "The vessel is now sinking at a pier in Chah Bahar in the Gulf of Oman."

The command referenced Trump’s prior caution to Iranian military personnel, stating that members of Iran's armed forces, including the IRGC and police, "must lay down your arms." They added: "Abandon ship."

In response to Tehran’s assertion that their retaliation was solely aimed at U.S. military assets, CENTCOM refuted this claim. "During a UN Security Council session yesterday, the Iranian Ambassador claimed their response was exclusively directed at U.S. bases and assets. This is a lie."

CENTCOM accused Iran of "actively targeting civilians" and noted assaults on over a dozen sites. These included Dubai International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Zayed International Airport in Dubai, Erbil International Airport in Iraq, the Fairmont Palm Hotel in Dubai, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bahrain, the Port of Dubai, the Haifa Oil Refinery, residential neighborhoods in Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv in Israel, the residential area of Era Views Towers in Bahrain, and various residential areas in Qatar.

These developments signify one of the most direct military confrontations between Washington and Tehran in recent years. The deployment of B-2 stealth bombers armed with heavy munitions highlights the magnitude of these operations.

The Gulf of Oman, where the Jamaran-class ship was reported to be sinking, is located along a vital maritime route for global energy supplies. Any prolonged naval conflict in this area could significantly impact shipping and oil markets, particularly for Asian economies reliant on Gulf crude.

Ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran have repeatedly escalated over Iran's ballistic missile program and its activities in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been central to previous skirmishes in the Gulf.