The U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has joined the operations enforcing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as part of the actions promoted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to restrict maritime traffic linked to Iran. The ship’s presence in the Arabian Sea reinforces the naval force deployed since April 13, aimed at preventing traffic to and from Iranian ports.
According to official information, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is actively participating in these operations with its embarked air wing, which includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 combat aircraft, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command-and-control platforms, MH-60 helicopters, and CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotors assigned to logistical support. This set of capabilities allows for sustained continuous air operations and expands the reach of maritime control in the region.
The deployment comes in the context of Operation Epic Fury, in which the Armed Forces of the United States and Israel are maintaining a military campaign against Iran. In this scenario, U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are consolidating themselves as high-value strategic assets, both because of their offensive capability and their deterrent role in an environment of growing regional tension.
In addition to USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford is also operational, another U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that recently arrived off the coast of Israel and is reportedly operating from the Eastern Mediterranean. The simultaneous presence of both carrier strike groups demonstrates the level of U.S. military commitment in the area and its intention to maintain constant pressure on Iran.
For its part, Iran is relying on asymmetric warfare strategies to counter the naval blockade, with the use of fast attack boats standing out as its main operational tool. These vessels, operated mostly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), are designed to carry out high-speed maneuvers, harassment, and saturation attacks against larger ships.
According to analysts, Iran’s reliance on these units responds to the deterioration of its conventional navy, which has led it to prioritize unconventional tactics in the maritime domain. Although the blockade does not affect navigation toward non-Iranian destinations, its implementation has already forced various oil tankers to alter their routes, demonstrating its operational impact on the region’s commercial dynamics.
In this context, the return of USS Abraham Lincoln to operations acquires additional relevance, given that it had previously been identified as a possible target of Iranian attacks against strategic U.S. assets. Its participation in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz reinforces the U.S. posture in a scenario where military escalation and geopolitical tensions continue to rise.
Images obtained from U.S. Central Command.
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