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Pete Hegseth Defends Naval Blockade as Lawmakers Question Conditions Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States military can maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely by rotating ships in and out of the region. The administration announced that it will also apply unprecedented economic measures to pressure Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noting that the user will apply measures never seen before in the history of economic isolation. Despite the administration's efforts, lawmakers have raised concerns regarding the USS Abraham Lincoln, the flagship aircraft carrier currently conducting maritime security operations. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Mike Levin highlighted reports of deteriorating mental health, water contamination, and supply shortages among the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board. While Hegseth rejected these reports as misrepresented, US Central Command denied claims that personnel had died in a fight on the vessel. The administration aims to cripple Iran's economy by squeezing its crude oil revenues, though experts warn that targeting major Chinese banks to facilitate Iranian oil sales could cause economic blowback on the US.

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