Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the USS Abraham Lincoln had failed its mission of projecting US power in the Middle East. In a post on X on Wednesday, he said the carrier’s sailors had become fatigued after a lengthy regional deployment and that the ship was heading to Thailand for rest and recreation.

Baghaei said the United States had sent the aircraft carrier to the region to demonstrate strength. He argued that, after months of war and more than 200 days without calling at a port, the vessel was now travelling to Thailand. His remarks presented the planned stop as evidence that the mission had not succeeded.

Thai officials said the USS Abraham Lincoln would make a short stop in Thailand next week after a prolonged Middle East military mission. The carrier is expected to anchor after more than 250 consecutive days at sea. Thai defence officials said the visit is primarily intended for crew rest and recovery, with no joint military exercise or operation planned with the Thai navy. Concerns have also emerged over the physical and mental wellbeing of nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines, while family members cited mental health deterioration and shortages of food and personal hygiene supplies.