# US pulls last Pacific carrier for Iran war, China gains opening 2026-08-15T16:47:04+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The United States is pulling its last aircraft carrier from the western Pacific to support the war with Iran, temporarily leaving the region without one as China expands its naval activity. The USS George Washington will head to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 260 days, a modern record for a US carrier, reports the Times of India. The absence of a carrier in the Pacific, even if short-lived, carries symbolic weight for US allies and for China, analysts say. Beijing could use the gap to reinforce its claim as the dominant military power in the region. Meanwhile, the Lincoln's prolonged deployment has sparked controversy over crew welfare, with families reporting food shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health issues. The Navy denies a crisis. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - ndtv.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: China, Iran, Pacific, United States, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George Washington Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/us-pulls-last-pacific-carrier-to-iran-war-leaving-space-for-china/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/us-pulls-last-pacific-carrier-to-iran-war-leaving-space-for-china/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.