https://www.snopes.com/news/2026/08/13/uss-abraham-lincoln-deaths-brawl/
According to U.S. Central Command, however, "These reports are false."
"As we have continuously seen, Iran continues to spread lies and false information," Emma Thompson, Central Command spokesperson, said in an email to Snopes.
We have not rated this claim because we don't have additional details about this rumor. Iranian media included very little concrete information, including the date of the alleged incident, making it more difficult to independently disprove the claim.
Still, there's no evidence that Central Command's statement is incorrect. Given reported communication between those aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and their families — and heightened media scrutiny — it seems unlikely that the military could hide the deaths of seven service members due to a knife brawl.
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