U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, even as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume negotiations aimed at preventing a new regional conflict.
The discussions, facilitated by Oman last week, allowed Tehran to assess U.S. intentions and indicated enough consensus for diplomacy to continue, according to a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry.
Trump, who participated in last year’s Israeli bombing campaign on Iranian nuclear sites, had previously threatened military intervention during a government crackdown on protests in Iran but ultimately refrained.
“Either we reach a deal or we’ll have to do something very tough,” Trump told Israel’s Channel 12.
Naval Deployment Options
Officials have indicated that the USS George Washington in Asia and the USS George H.W. Bush on the U.S. east coast are the most likely carriers to be deployed, although each would require at least a week to reach the region. The Pentagon could also consider sending the USS Ford from the Caribbean.
Satellite imagery analysed by Reuters shows a recent build-up of aircraft and military equipment across the Middle East. U.S. forces at Qatar’s al-Udeid base, the largest American facility in the region, have mobilised missiles onto truck launchers to enable rapid deployment if needed.
Negotiation Scope and Missile Dispute
Oman’s state news agency reported that Iranian adviser Ali Larijani and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq discussed ways to reach a “balanced and just” agreement, emphasising dialogue to promote regional and global security.
The U.S. seeks to expand talks with Iran beyond nuclear issues to include curbs on Tehran’s ballistic missile programme, while Iran insists its missile stockpile is non-negotiable and has been rebuilt since last year’s Israeli-U.S. strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump on Wednesday to advocate for missile restrictions in any potential deal. Iranian officials, however, caution that U.S. policy must be independent of “foreign pressures, especially Israeli pressures.”
Uranium Enrichment Remains Key
Washington demands that Iran limit its uranium enrichment to below 60% fissile purity, a step away from weapons-grade levels. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has insisted on lifting financial sanctions and safeguarding nuclear rights, while the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation indicated that adjustments to enrichment depend on sanctions relief.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the ultimate decision on red lines will rest with President Trump, signalling a potentially hardline stance ahead of resumed talks.
(with inputs from Reuters)
