U.S. to use new economic tactics on Iran; Navy to relieve carrier

Key Points:

• U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced unprecedented economic measures against Iran, including severe economic isolation and a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to restrict Iranian port access.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the U.S. military can maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, with the Navy rotating ships, including the USS George Washington replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East.
• Hegseth denied reports of poor conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, calling claims of food shortages, low morale, and sailors attempting to jump overboard "completely misrepresented."
• In response, Rep. Mike Levin expressed serious concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's conditions, citing issues such as mold, broken facilities, lack of fresh food, and extreme fatigue among sailors due to heavy workloads.
• U.S. Central Command refuted claims of a brawl aboard the carrier and confirmed that no service members have died during the deployment.