Washington, DC [US], April 21 (ANI): The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is operating in West Asia, enforcing a U.S. naval blockade on vessels attempting to enter and depart Iranian ports, and recently received supplies during a “vertical replenishment” in the Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the United States Central Command on Monday (local time).
In a post on X, CENTCOM stated, “Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) receives supplies during a vertical replenishment in the Arabian Sea with supply ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7), April 18. Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Middle East enforcing the U.S. naval blockade on vessels attempting to enter and depart Iranian ports.”
The post highlighted ongoing logistics operations in the Arabian Sea, where the carrier conducted a vertical replenishment with the supply ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7) on April 18, indicating sustained operational readiness. The U.S. blockade comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea underscores the scale of the U.S. naval presence near Iranian waters as tensions escalate.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the United States is in a strong position in its ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that American military actions have weakened Tehran even as fresh diplomatic talks are set to begin. He said the U.S. was “winning” and that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly reduced, while also criticizing sections of the media for portraying the situation differently.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I’m winning a war, by a lot. Things are going very well. Our military has been amazing, and if you read the fake news, like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, or The Washington Post, you would actually think we are losing the war. The enemy is confused because they get these same media reports, and yet they realize their Navy has been completely wiped out, their Air Force has gone onto darker runways, they have no anti-missile or anti-aircraft equipment, their former leaders are mostly gone, and perhaps most important of all, the blockade, which we will not take off until there is a deal, is absolutely destroying Iran.”
Meanwhile, tensions between Tehran and Washington have reached a critical flashpoint as the April 22 ceasefire deadline approaches. Iran’s top negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, has criticized Trump, accusing the U.S. president of undermining diplomatic channels through aggressive rhetoric and alleged truce violations.
Ghalibaf said the Iranian leadership refuses to engage in dialogue under duress. In a public statement on X, he argued that the American administration is attempting to turn the diplomatic process into a “table of surrender.” He further warned that Tehran is prepared to reveal “new cards on the battlefield” if the current tensions escalate into military conflict.
The diplomatic deadlock is rooted in longstanding disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. While the current 14-day truce has paused active combat, the atmosphere remains strained by deep mutual distrust.
In another sign of deteriorating relations, Iranian state media has suggested that Tehran may boycott the Islamabad summit, citing Washington’s “excessive demands and inconsistent positions” as primary reasons for a potential withdrawal from the talks.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has also questioned the legitimacy of the U.S.-led process. In a high-level discussion with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “provocative actions and repeated ceasefire violations” by the United States have become major obstacles to peace.
As the fragile ceasefire nears its end, both sides remain locked in a tense standoff. With the threat of renewed hostilities looming, the outcome of the Islamabad talks remains uncertain. (ANI)
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