Aircraft carrier «George Washington» arrives in the Middle East.. «Lincoln» departs - Sarmad

The U.S. military announced that a new aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln, amid widespread controversy in the United States that included criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump over the conditions faced by service members aboard the vessel after months of deployment.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on the X platform that the strike group of the aircraft carrier George Washington, which arrived in the region on Wednesday, is operating as part of a scheduled deployment following its arrival in the CENTCOM area of operations.

CENTCOM posted an image of the carrier transiting the Arabian Gulf, showing fighter jets aboard. The move comes as tensions in the region continue amid the backdrop of U.S.-Iranian hostilities.