Kathmandu— United States President Donald Trump has rejected concerns regarding conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed as part of ongoing tensions with Iran for over 250 days. Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump denied assertions that families of those serving on the ship are worried about their loved ones and stated the deployment was “not nearly enough.” The response comes after reports surfaced detailing supply shortages, mental health strain, and even accounts of sailors attempting to jump from the vessel, prompting calls from US lawmakers for an inquiry.

Lawmaker Concerns Mount

Several US lawmakers have called for an investigation into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego has requested that the Navy allow a bipartisan delegation to visit the ship and assess the situation firsthand. Senator Richard Blumenthal, also a Democrat, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seeking information on crew mental health metrics and the strategic objectives justifying the extended deployment.

Navy Disputes Reports of Rising Mental Health Issues

A US official told Al Jazeera that the Navy has “not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship.” The official highlighted the presence of five chaplains, one psychologist, one social worker, three behavioral health technicians, and an embedded integrated prevention coordination counselor on board, as well as an emotional support dog. These resources are intended to address the mental wellbeing of the over 5,000 sailors and Marines stationed on the vessel.

Prolonged Deployment Raises Questions

The USS Abraham Lincoln departed from San Diego, California in November and has participated in military operations against Venezuela in January and more recently, the conflict with Iran. Originally slated to return in May, its deployment has been extended, setting a record for continuous time at sea without a port stop. While Trump confirmed the ship will be replaced “right now or very shortly” with another vessel, concerns remain about the impact of such lengthy deployments on service members.

Diplomatic Efforts Stall

The focus on conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln coincides with stalled diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Israeli war in Iran. A memorandum of understanding signed in June for a pause in fighting collapsed last month due to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, leading to renewed naval blockades and restrictions on maritime traffic. Iran is now pursuing agreements with Oman regarding travel routes through the crucial waterway.

The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to be replaced by another aircraft carrier in the near future, though concerns about the wellbeing of its crew and the broader geopolitical situation remain.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.