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President Donald Trump stated on July 8, 2026, that the “Islamic Republic of Japan” fired 111 missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln “a few months ago.” Trump made these remarks while appearing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The president claimed the missiles were fired over the course of an hour and were all intercepted.

Did You Know? The United States and Japan have maintained a military alliance for nearly 75 years, formalized by a treaty signed in 1952. There are currently approximately 60,000 U.S. troops stationed in and around Japan under a mutual defense agreement.

Context of the USS Abraham Lincoln

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been active in the Arabian Sea throughout the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which is now in its fourth month. In February, the U.S. military reported shooting down a drone that approached the aircraft carrier “aggressively” while the ship was positioned roughly 500 miles from the southern coast of Iran.

Following that incident, Iranian officials claimed they had struck the USS Abraham Lincoln with a ballistic missile. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) publicly disputed this claim in a post on X, stating that the ship was not hit and that the missiles launched “didn’t even come close.” CENTCOM further noted that the carrier has continued to launch aircraft to support its campaign against Iranian regime threats.

Expert Insight: Understanding the Stakes

Potential Implications

Frequently Asked Questions

What did President Trump say about Japan?
President Trump stated that the “Islamic Republic of Japan” fired 111 missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln a few months ago, claiming all were intercepted.

WATCH: Trump: "Iran Ceasefire Is Over" | Fiery Remarks at NATO Summit

Is Japan currently at war with the U.S.?
No. According to the U.S. Congress, the United States and Japan have been military allies for nearly 75 years, sharing a mutual defense agreement with 60,000 U.S. troops stationed around Japan.

Has the USS Abraham Lincoln been hit by missiles?
No. While Iran claimed to have struck the carrier with a ballistic missile, U.S. Central Command stated the ship was not hit and the missiles did not come close.

How do you think international allies will respond to this characterization of the U.S.-Japan military partnership?

US and Iranian negotiators are meeting in Switzerland on Sunday to advance an interim peace deal brokered by Pakistan. The talks occur amid conflicting reports regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s IRGC claiming the waterway is shut while U.S. Central Command reports continued commercial traffic.

Why is the status of the Strait of Hormuz in dispute?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz shut on Saturday. The IRGC cited Israeli “crimes” in Lebanon as the reason, warning that ships face risks if they approach the vital energy conduit. This declaration directly challenges the current 60-day ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

U.S. Central Command disputed the Iranian claim. According to military officials, 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday. These vessels carried more than 17 million barrels of oil for global markets. Central Command stated that U.S. forces will continue to ensure commercial traffic remains uninterrupted.

President Donald Trump addressed the tension in a social media post on Saturday. He stated that no toll will be charged for passage through the Strait during the 60-day ceasefire. However, Trump left open the possibility of a U.S.-imposed toll if peace talks fail. He suggested the U.S. might levy fees “for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East.”

Did you know? The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transit points. Even a temporary disruption can cause immediate volatility in global energy prices.

Who is leading the negotiations in Switzerland?

A high-level Iranian team arrived in Switzerland to begin talks, according to Iranian state media. The delegation is led by chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The team also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi alongside senior officials from Iran’s central bank and oil sector.

The U.S. negotiating team is led by Vice President JD Vance, who departed Washington on Saturday. Vance is accompanied by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Before boarding his plane at Joint Base Andrews, Vance told reporters he expected the talks to last a couple of days. He stated he is hopeful for progress regarding the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the delegation intends to press for the fulfillment of existing commitments. Baghaei cited past instances where the U.S. failed to honor agreements.

How is the Lebanon ceasefire affecting the peace process?

The stability of the broader peace deal relies heavily on a ceasefire in Lebanon. A halt to fighting in Lebanon was a primary condition for starting these U.S.-Iranian talks. However, the truce appears fragile. Lebanese Civil Defence reported that 20 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Saturday, just hours after the truce took effect.

The conflict continues through retaliatory actions. An Israeli military official stated that Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight. In response, Israel conducted strikes against what it identified as Hezbollah targets. Lebanon’s state news agency, NNA, reported that Israeli drones and warplanes struck Hezbollah strongholds in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.

Israel has maintained a distinct position from the U.S.-Iran negotiations. According to reports from Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, the Israeli government has instructed the military to hold fire in some areas but will not withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory. Israel stated it is not a party to the Iran-U.S. deal and will continue to act against any perceived threats.

Contrasting Perspectives on the Conflict

Source/Entity	Stated Position/Data
IRGC (Iran)	Strait of Hormuz is shut.
U.S. Central Command	55 ships transited; 17m barrels moved.
Hebrew University Poll	92% of Israelis believe Iran benefited more.

Public sentiment in Israel also reflects dissatisfaction with the military campaign. A poll conducted by the Israeli Hebrew University and shared with Reuters found that nearly 90% of Israelis believe the war’s goals were not met. Only 8% of respondents believe Israel emerged victorious from the conflict.

Iran Announces Strait Of Hormuz Closure, Escalating Tensions With US And Israel

Pro Tip: When tracking Middle East diplomacy, monitor the “interim deal” clauses. Small violations in regional ceasefires, like those in Lebanon, often serve as leverage in larger nuclear or maritime negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Switzerland talks?

The talks aim to advance an interim deal brokered by Pakistan to end the four-month war between the U.S. and Iran, specifically addressing nuclear issues and the Lebanon ceasefire.

Is the Strait of Hormuz currently closed?

No. While the IRGC claimed the strait is shut, U.S. Central Command reported that 55 merchant ships successfully transited the waterway on Saturday.

What happens if the peace talks fail?

President Trump has indicated that the U.S. may impose a toll for passage through the Strait of Hormuz if a peace deal is not completed.

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