US confirms eight sailors died by suicide during Iran-related combat mission

A U.S. military official has confirmed that eight Navy sailors died by suicide during a combat mission linked to Iran.

Hong Cao, acting secretary of the U.S. Navy, said the sailors served in the carrier strike group of the USS Abraham Lincoln. According to him, the figure includes personnel stationed on the aircraft carrier, its air wing, escort ships and other units attached to the strike group.

The report said none of the incidents resulted in death. U.S. officials have not released further details about the exact timing of the events.

According to CNN, the mission involved about 6,000 to 7,000 military personnel and kept the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier at sea for more than six months. The USS Abraham Lincoln is one of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers and is typically deployed on long-term missions and overseas operations.