Trump defends Iran war stance, calls USS Lincoln deployment 'not nearly long enough'

Former President Donald Trump has recently made controversial statements regarding both the Strait of Hormuz and the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln. On August 14 and 15, 2026, Trump suggested he would "soon" declare the crucial Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory, asserting American control over the waterway through a naval blockade on Iranian ports. These remarks followed earlier comments in July 2026 where he proposed the U.S. would "run" the strait and be reimbursed by other nations for its guardianship. Iran has vehemently rejected these claims, emphasizing its sovereign control over the strait, while legal experts have noted that such a territorial declaration would face considerable international challenges.

Separately, on August 14, 2026, Trump publicly downplayed concerns surrounding the USS Abraham Lincoln's nearly nine-month deployment during operations against Iran, stating the extended period was "not nearly long enough". This stance comes amidst reports of significant mental health issues, supply shortages, and poor living conditions aboard the aircraft carrier, with some accounts suggesting sailors attempted to jump overboard. Despite these concerns raised by military families and lawmakers, Trump refuted the validity of such reports, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao also sought to minimize them.