US EditionProtest held on Greek island against docked US aircraft carrier as Iran tension builds
- On Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, protesters in Chania held an anti-war rally opposing the docking of the USS Gerald R. Ford at the Souda Bay naval base.
- The Ford reached the Greek island on Feb 23 and is en route to join a major US force buildup amid Iran tensions, while the Pentagon moved more than 120 aircraft and operates two carrier strike groups.
- Backed by the Greek Communist Party, the peaceful rally in Chania featured protesters holding placards spelling `Killers` near Souda Bay, which hosts about 1,000 military and local personnel.
- Dozens of non-essential personnel were evacuated from the US Embassy in Beirut on Monday as a precaution, while Geneva talks on Thursday are viewed as a last chance to avert a US strike.
- However, the Ford's extended deployment has left most of its 650 toilets nonfunctional, prompting $400,000 fixes that require docking unlikely in hostile waters during at least eight months at sea.
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70 Articles
A toilet war for 4,500 soldiers abroad US aircraft carrier amid soaring tensions with Iran
Tensions between the United States (US) and Iran have reached to an all-time high, with the former assembling its largest force in the Middle East in decades. The US has also deployed the USS Gerald R Ford, considered to be the world's largest aircraft carrier, in the region, sparking speculations of a full-blown war with the Islamic nation. But amid all this, sailors abroad the USS Gerald R Ford are facing a different issue -- a toilet crisis. …
Associated Press News
Protest held on Greek island against docked US aircraft carrier as Iran tension builds
Protesters have gathered on the Greek island of Crete following the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier that is part of a major buildup of American forces in the Middle East.
The US has moved more than 150 fighter jets to bases in Europe and the Middle East as Donald Trump seeks to broker a nuclear deal with Iran, while the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has reportedly arrived in the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford has been on a non-stop mission since June, putting a lot of personal strain on its 5,000-strong crew. In addition to the psychological burden of being away from home and reduced contact with their families, technical problems on the ship are also accumulating, affecting the quality of life of sailors, although management acknowledges the strain and consequences of long-term missions for the Navy.
The US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, which was deployed to the Middle East at a time of high tensions between Iran and the US, is struggling with long-standing problems with clogged sewage pipes and malfunctioning toilets. The complications plaguing the largest and most expensive vessel in the US arsenal are being reported by US media.
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