US Central Command said the aircraft carrier USS George Washington has been deployed to the Middle East. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the George Washington Carrier Strike Group arrived in its area of responsibility on Tuesday as part of a scheduled deployment and began operations in the region.

The deployment comes as concerns have been raised over the strain and quality of life of personnel aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been stationed in the Middle East for more than 250 days. The source did not provide further details about the reported concerns.

US officials had previously said the George Washington was planned to replace the Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. CENTCOM described the arrival as part of the carrier group's scheduled deployment, while the report did not specify its operational tasks or the timetable for the Lincoln's departure.