Iran war: Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier

There have been reports of sailors jumping overboard, raising questions about their mental health during the nine-month-long deployment

President Donald Trump dismissed concerns on Friday over living conditions and the mental health of service members on a US aircraft carrier deployed against Iran, while confirming the ship would soon rotate out.

Asked by reporters whether family members were worried about the situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln, Trump said “no, they’re not”.

Trump also rejected the idea that the ship – now in its ninth month at sea – had been deployed for too long. “No, no, no, not nearly enough,” he said.

The president meanwhile confirmed reports that the ship was due to be swapped out with another aircraft carrier, as the United States remains locked in a stalemate with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz and the country’s nuclear programme.

“That ship is moving right now or very shortly and it’s being replaced with another very similar ship,” Trump said.

US media, including specialist military publications, have quoted multiple relatives of crew members saying living conditions have deteriorated on the Lincoln. There have also been reports of several suicide attempts.