Kathmandu— President Donald Trump on Friday minimized concerns regarding the extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for a record-setting 240+ days while supporting U.S. operations against Iran, even stating it was “not nearly long enough.” The comments came as Democratic lawmakers demand answers from the Pentagon about conditions aboard the ship and reports of strain on sailors’ mental health and resources; Trump also acknowledged using the military “a little bit more than I wanted to” despite initially promising to avoid prolonged foreign entanglements. The Lincoln is expected to be relieved by the USS George Washington, which departed Vietnam last week.

Deployment Duration Sparks Debate

The USS Abraham Lincoln’s nearly nine-month deployment has drawn scrutiny from Democrats who are questioning the impact on service members and the sustainability of such lengthy assignments. Several lawmakers, including Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego, have requested a briefing from the Pentagon regarding conditions aboard the ship, specifically focusing on food inventory, sanitation, healthcare access, and the timeline for relief. Representative Jason Crow criticized Trump’s comments, stating that the President “does not care about our servicemembers or their families.”

Administration Defends Military Action

Despite initially predicting a short conflict, the U.S. operation against Iran has now lasted over five months. During an address on falling crime rates in New York, Trump acknowledged using the military more than he had intended but maintained that the operation is progressing well and defended his actions regarding oil prices. He even jokingly suggested declaring the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated via social media that the Lincoln “will return home soon.”

Concerns Over Sailor Well-being

Reports have surfaced indicating mental health concerns among sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, and one sailor went overboard in early August but was quickly recovered. While the Navy has denied an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts, officials have declined to release supporting data citing operational security and patient privacy. U.S. Central Command also disputed reports of poor conditions on the ship.

Ongoing Blockade and Future Plans

Despite a recent calming of hostilities, the Navy has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the U.S. military can maintain this blockage “indefinitely,” but the Trump administration has offered no clear plan for de-escalation or winding down the conflict. The USS George Washington is en route to replace the Lincoln, which is one of two aircraft carriers currently deployed in the Middle East.

The USS Abraham Lincoln’s replacement by the USS George Washington is expected to alleviate some of the strain on personnel and resources, though questions remain regarding the long-term strategy for U.S. involvement in the region.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.