USS Abraham Lincoln Plays Key Role in U.S.-Israel Attack on Iran

San Diego-based aircraft carrier is at the center of the joint military operation.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:15am

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The United States has launched a joint attack with Israel against Iran, and the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is playing a leading role in the military operation. The 1,092-foot flattop is the flagship of a nine-ship strike group that includes six Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers. The Lincoln, which has a long history of deployments to the Middle East, left San Diego in November 2025 and was initially assigned to patrol the Indo-Pacific before being diverted to the region due to rising tensions with Iran.

Why it matters

The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of the most advanced and experienced aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, with a storied history of involvement in major military operations in the Middle East. Its central role in the current attack on Iran highlights the importance of San Diego's naval presence and the city's strategic significance in global geopolitics.

The details

The strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln features six Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers, which are known for their versatility and indispensable role in U.S. naval operations. The Lincoln itself has a long history of deployments to the Middle East, including spearheading operations in the region during the Gulf War in 1991 and playing a key part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

  • The USS Abraham Lincoln left San Diego on its latest deployment in November 2025.
  • In mid-January 2026, President Donald Trump diverted the ship to the Middle East due to rising tensions with Iran.

The players

USS Abraham Lincoln

A 1,092-foot nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the flagship of a nine-ship strike group involved in the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. The Lincoln has a long history of deployments to the Middle East, including major operations during the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers

Six of these versatile and indispensable warships are part of the strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln in the attack on Iran.

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The takeaway

The USS Abraham Lincoln's central role in the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran underscores San Diego's strategic importance as a hub for naval operations in the Middle East and the broader global geopolitical landscape.