Diplomacy or Double-Cross? Why US is expanding its military presence in Middle East amid Iran talks | Explained | World News
As U.S.-Iran talks gear up for a second round in Geneva following the Oman talks, President Trump is sending two massive aircraft carriers — the USS Gerald Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln — like floating cities filled with jets and missiles, ready to strike if the talks fail when he returns to Washington.
It all started last month when Trump’s 60-day deadline for Iran to abandon its nuclear program came and went without a deal. That’s when the first aircraft carrier appeared with thousands of troops, anti-missile equipment and warships to thwart Iran’s rockets, Houthi rebels and uranium cheats.
Things quickly escalated, with Türkiye talks failing and talks shifted to Oman, focusing on bombs while Iran demanded to continue enriching uranium.
Add Zee News as Preferred Source
After the explosion, the United States shot down an Iranian drone near USS Abraham Lincoln and warned ships to stay away from the Strait of Hormuz.
As of February 13, the number two carrier USS Gerald Ford takes the stage. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Oman talks were a ‘promising start’ but full of ‘threats’.
Trump responds by saying, “Fear is a powerful motivator in the difficult Iran negotiations.” The Pentagon warns of “offensive and defensive actions” and Trump hints that “something very drastic” will happen if Iran does not abandon its missiles and rebel support.
Will US pressure help negotiations? Or is it an insidious trap that leads to war? With ships circling the Middle East, one wrong step could set the entire region on fire.
A ticking bomb waiting to explode?
Why line up the battleships now? This is the classic ‘peace through strength’ line from Trump, who is flexing his muscles to persuade Iran to reach a deal.
In a classic US power flexibility move, first the US mobilized the USS Abraham Lincoln, now joined by the USS Gerald R. Ford, and turned the Arabian Sea into a show of force with jets, destroyers and weeks of offensive power.
This is not a war preparation for entertainment purposes, it is a trump card that will make Tehran sweat because of its missiles, Houthi friends and uranium games.
Overview of Iran-US talks
U.S.-Iran indirect talks have resumed in Muscat, Oman, under the mediation of Sayyed Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, eight months after the U.S. Operation Midnight Hammer disrupted Iran’s nuclear advance.
Iran limited the agenda to nuclear issues, rejecting US demands to address ballistic missiles, proxy support such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, or killings of dissidents, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called it a “good start” with possibly more tours.
President Trump called the session “very good” but pushed for an agreement within a month; he warned of “traumatic” consequences otherwise; Secretary Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance expressed doubts about Iran’s Supreme Leader’s lack of involvement and stalled progress.
Second round of talks in Geneva amid Iran’s insistence on uranium enrichment rights and missile ‘defense power’ contradicts US calls for complete destruction. There is no major breakthrough yet; Despite the decreasing tensions, deep cracks remain.
What’s next for Iran?
As the next round of talks approaches, US negotiator Steve Witkoff will continue to pressure Iran to stop nuclear work, stop uranium enrichment and cut missiles, but Iran’s Abbas Araghchi will not compromise on Iran’s ‘right to defence’.
US Marco Rubio wants a deal within a month, otherwise things will get “traumatic” and he will support the deal with two large ships in the Arabian Sea.
Will the world witness another ship clash in the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks or larger protests in Iran?
