U.S. launches fresh strikes on Iran as USS Abraham Lincoln heads home

Thousands of American sailors and Marines are getting a break on solid ground as the USS Abraham Lincoln heads home following a deployment of more than 280 days at sea.

(NBC)- Thousands of American sailors and Marines are getting a break on solid ground as the USS Abraham Lincoln heads home following a deployment of more than 280 days at sea.

The aircraft carrier docked in Thailand on its way back to California, giving roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines time ashore after spending much of the record deployment serving in the Middle East during the war with Iran.

Families have raised concerns about conditions and morale aboard the carrier during the lengthy deployment.

The return comes as fighting between the United States and Iran appears to be escalating again.

U.S. Central Command said American forces launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran Tuesday in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks targeting U.S. forces in the region.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that Iran retaliated following the U.S. strikes.

Iran claimed it launched attacks against U.S. bases across the Middle East, including in Jordan, where authorities said 10 missiles were intercepted. Bahrain and Kuwait also reported stopping drone attacks overnight.

The renewed fighting followed a warning from President Donald Trump that the United States could launch its largest attack against Iran yet, saying there would be “very little left” of the country.

Before the latest escalation, the White House had increasingly focused on economic pressure against Tehran through sweeping sanctions and a naval blockade.

Bessent said the administration believes those measures are weakening Iran’s economy.

“We are going to grind them into the ground,” Bessent said.

The latest military and economic pressure comes as the war reaches the six-month mark and the United States approaches the midterm elections.