Marine in Nahost: Trump spielt Missstände auf Flugzeugträger herunter

Despite reports of misconduct aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier "USS Abraham Lincoln" that has been deployed in the Middle East for months, President Donald Trump remains committed to the military operation. In a video from CBS News, he responded to a journalist's question about whether the deployment had been going on too long, saying, "No, no, no. Far from long enough."

Trump also downplayed concerns from families of the personnel involved about the conditions on board the carrier and stated that the ship would soon be replaced by another "very similar ship." This partially confirmed media reports that the carrier was being moved and replaced by the "USS George Washington," a move that the "Wall Street Journal," as well as US news networks CNN and NBC News, reported had been planned before the complaints.

Trump did not mention the name of the "USS George Washington." Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut had immediately called on the US government via X to explain what it was doing to support the troops on board. "Reports of supply shortages, problems with sanitation facilities, a deterioration in mental health, and more require immediate action," it stated.

Beyond missing soap and blocked toilets, the worst problem was reportedly a deterioration in the mental health of soldiers and sailors. Safety concerns about the open deck were also voiced. Disruptions in mail delivery had led to many care packages addressed to the ship being lost for months. The US military denied the reports. According to Centcom on X, the "USS Abraham Lincoln" had one of the highest reassignment rates among its personnel, with 84.4% of sailors volunteering to stay in the military after their contract ended.

The military also stated that no crew member had drowned overboard, and a sailor who fell overboard on August 3 was quickly and safely rescued. Centcom described the reports as false. Iranian media had reported that seven people had died in violent confrontations on board the aircraft carrier, and the atmosphere on board was described as tense.

The "USS Abraham Lincoln" and its escorts had already strengthened the US presence in the Middle East at the beginning of January, and since the beginning of February, the US and Israel had launched military strikes against Iran. Since then, the aircraft carrier has been deployed in the Arabian Sea to enforce a US naval blockade of ships attempting to reach or leave Iranian ports.