U.S. pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere

The United States is withdrawing its last aircraft carrier from the western Pacific, as President Donald Trump's conflict with Iran continues. The USS George Washington is set to depart the Pacific and replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. The Lincoln has been deployed for over 260 days, with its return repeatedly delayed due to the ongoing operations against Iran.

According to PBS NewsHour, concerns are growing about the mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed carrier. The USS Abraham Lincoln has had its crew extended from its original May return date. The absence of a US carrier in the Pacific may be temporary if another is deployed in the coming months.

President Trump has stated that he would be willing to declare the Strait of Hormuz "a territory of the United States" after America defeats Iran, as reported by Hindustan Times - World News. Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded, stating that the strait would be "opened and closed only under" Iran's command.

Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Hindustan Times - World News, Times of India, The Times of Israel, Associated Press — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.