US Aircraft Carrier "Gerald Ford" Leaves the Middle East

SadaNews - The US aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" has left the Middle East after participating in operations against Iran, an American official announced on Friday, leaving two large American warships in the region. The official clarified that the "Ford" is currently stationed in the area of responsibility of the US European Command, noting that the number of US Navy ships remaining in the Middle East is 20, including the aircraft carriers "USS Abraham Lincoln" and "USS George H.W. Bush." The "Ford" has been at sea for more than ten months and has previously participated in US operations in the Caribbean, where US forces launched strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking, intercepted oil tankers under sanctions, and captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. On March 12, a fire broke out in the laundry room aboard the aircraft carrier, injuring two sailors and causing significant damage to about 100 beds, according to the US military. The carrier also faced major issues with its sewage system while stationed at sea, with American media reporting malfunctions in its toilets.