U.S. Middle East Commander Tours the Lincoln on Prolonged Carrier Deployment
Adm. Brad Cooper, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, visited the long‑deployed USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea during a 10‑day regional tour amid concerns about mental health and supply on the carrier. The Lincoln has been at sea for more than 240 days supporting operations against Iran and enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. Cooper’s visit included stops in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and underscores the strain of extended carrier deployments. The blockade aims to curb Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil passes; talks with Iran have stalled as it negotiates with Oman over strait management.