US President Donald Trump has signaled he may deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, even as Washington and Tehran move closer to resuming diplomatic talks aimed at preventing a fresh conflict.
Speaking to Israeli media, Trump warned that the United States would take “something very tough” action if negotiations with Iran fail, underscoring continued military pressure alongside diplomatic outreach. “Either we reach a deal or we’ll have to do something very tough,” he was quoted as saying.
The remarks come after Oman mediated indirect talks between the US and Iran last week. Iran’s foreign ministry said the discussions helped gauge Washington’s seriousness and created enough consensus for diplomacy to continue. Dates and venues for the next round of talks haven’t been announced yet.
Trump confirmed he’s considering sending an additional aircraft carrier to the region, on top of one already deployed. US officials told Reuters that the USS George Washington or USS George H.W. Bush are among the likely options, though both would take at least a week to arrive. The Pentagon could also deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford from the Caribbean if needed.
The US military posture has raised concerns about escalation. Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters showed a build-up of aircraft and equipment at key US bases in the region, including Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, where missiles have reportedly been placed on mobile launchers.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said talks had paved the way for further dialogue. He added that Ali Larijani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visited Oman as part of pre-planned regional diplomacy and will next travel to Qatar, another key mediator.
While nuclear issues remain central, Washington is pushing to expand negotiations to include Iran’s ballistic missile program. Tehran has rejected this, saying its missile stockpile is non-negotiable and insisting any deal must include lifting financial sanctions and recognizing its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment.
Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday as markets focused on the balance between rising military tensions and renewed diplomatic efforts.
