‘Fake News From Pharisee Press’: Pete Hegseth Fact-Checks Food Shortage Claims On US Navy Ships In Hormuz

Last Updated:April 19, 2026, 07:20 IST

US denies reports of food shortages on USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, Navy and Pentagon insist supplies are sufficient.

With the Iran war nearing two months, tensions and rhetoric have continued to rise. The latest war talk centres on conditions aboard US Navy ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz.

US fact-checks Iran

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday dismissed reports claiming there were food shortages on two key US Navy vessels deployed in West Asia. The claims, based on unverified accounts from sailors, suggested that crew members were facing poor meal quality and were “hungry all the time".

Hegseth strongly denied the allegations, calling them misleading. In a post on X, he said his team had checked supply data for the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli and found both ships had more than 30 days of food supplies onboard. He added that naval command monitors these supplies daily and said sailors are well supported.

“More FAKE NEWS from the Pharisee Press. My team confirmed the logistics stats for the Lincoln & Tripoli. Both have 30+ days of Class I supplies (food) on board. NavCent monitors this everyday, for every ship. Our sailors deserve — and receive — the best," the Pentagon chief said.

The United States Navy also rejected the claims. It said reports about food shortages and poor-quality meals were false.

According to the Navy, its logistics system is capable of sustaining long operations at sea. It explained that changes to menus are routine and help manage supplies effectively while keeping ships operational.

“Both USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli have sufficient food onboard to serve their crews with healthy options. The health and wellbeing of our Sailors and Marines are my top priority, and every crew member continues to receive fully portioned, nutritionally balanced meals," read US Navy post on X.

“Fresh meals. Full service. Mission ready. Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli continue to receive regularly prepared meals at sea—no interruptions, no shortages," added US Navy in another X post.

This came after the circulation of images online showing what critics described as small meal portions. These images had raised concerns about whether sailors were receiving enough food.

Mail deliveries resumed

Alongside the food issue, there were also concerns about delays in mail and personal deliveries to sailors. The Navy confirmed that a temporary halt on sending mail into the operational area had been lifted.

It said the pause was due to ongoing combat operations but added that its logistics network remains flexible. The Navy said it is committed to supporting personnel involved in Operation Epic Fury.

Despite official denials, concerns have not fully eased. US lawmaker Mike Levin called for further investigation into the situation.

He said the issue was serious and should be examined by Congress. Levin claimed that some service members aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln were rationing food and lacked access to fresh produce.

Iran reacts

The situation has also drawn reactions from Iran. The Iranian Embassy in the UK mocked the reports in a social media post, suggesting that sailors were being forced to use toilets less.

The comment appeared to refer to earlier sanitation problems on the USS Gerald R. Ford, which had faced plumbing issues that caused long queues onboard.

The dispute over conditions at sea comes as the wider conflict continues. While the US maintains that its forces are well supplied, the claims and counterclaims underline the pressure and scrutiny surrounding operations in the region. The US has deployed additional troops in West Asia as the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continues, with second round of war negotiations scheduled for Monday in Islamabad.

News world ‘Fake News From Pharisee Press’: Pete Hegseth Fact-Checks Food Shortage Claims On US Navy Ships In Hormuz

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