Issued on: 22/04/2026 - 21:38

The US Navy has fiercely denied claims that its warships in the Middle East are running low on food and leaving its sailors "hungry all the time", as Washington’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continues. Photos showing dismal, mostly empty trays of food have circulated online, with the claims that shortages are rife after a month and a half of war.

The viral images showed unappetising, bare plates that included a small handful of boiled carrots, a dried-out meat patty and a grey unidentified slab of processed meat. Another photo displayed a small portion of shredded meat and a single, standalone folded tortilla wrap.

The images were shared by American newspaper USA Today, reportedly taken onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, and were sent from US naval officers to their families. According to the article, families were concerned their loved ones were going hungry, thus resorting to sending boxes of care packages that they hoped can help, though the packages were not reaching the ships due to a suspension of postal deliveries to the Middle East.

One father was quoted as saying that the US has "the strongest military in the world. You shouldn't be running out of food". He also said, according to his Marine daughter, that the crew are forced to ration their food supplies, there's no fresh produce and hygiene products are running low.

Washington has strongly refuted the claims, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth calling them "fake news" and declaring that both the USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln have over a month of Class I food supplies. The US Navy also shared images that it said showed "fresh meals" and "full service" with no shortages.

Vedika Bahl delves into what we know in Truth or Fake.

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