Second U.S. Carrier Arrives in Mideast Ahead of Iran Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A second U.S. aircraft carrier arrived in Mideast waters as nuclear talks with Iran enter a critical new phase. While Washington applies military pressure through strikes and carrier deployments, Iran’s Supreme Leader cautiously endorsed the dialogue. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Iran must cap uranium enrichment at 3.67%.
Iran Talks Escalate: U.S. Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier – Quick Looks
- Military Presence Expands: USS Carl Vinson joins USS Truman in Arabian Sea
- Talks in Motion: Second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations set for Saturday
- Location Dispute: Iran insists talks will return to Oman, not Rome
- Khamenei’s Take: Iran’s Supreme Leader says talks have “started well”
- Washington’s Message: Pressure on Iran through diplomacy and military buildup
- Witkoff’s Line: U.S. pushes for Iran to return to 3.67% uranium enrichment
- Missile Issues Loom: U.S. wants verification on both enrichment and weaponization
- Strikes Ongoing: U.S. aircraft continue 24/7 operations against Houthis in Yemen
Second U.S. Carrier Arrives in Mideast Ahead of Iran Talks
Deep Look
DUBAI — A second American aircraft carrier is now patrolling Mideast waters, underscoring a dramatic buildup of U.S. military pressure on Iran as the two adversaries prepare for a critical new round of nuclear talks.
The USS Carl Vinson, joined by its strike group, is actively operating in the Arabian Sea near Yemen just days ahead of high-stakes negotiations over Tehran’s escalating nuclear program. This deployment comes alongside ongoing U.S. airstrikes on Houthi rebel positions in Yemen—actions tied directly to President Donald Trump’s strategy of coercive diplomacy.
Where Are the Talks Headed?
Though initial reports indicated that the second round of nuclear talks would be hosted in Rome, Iran on Tuesday insisted they will return to Oman instead. The U.S. has not confirmed either location.
Despite the back-and-forth, both sides signaled cautious optimism.
“The first steps have been taken well,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech Tuesday. “We may or may not reach a result, but either way, it’s worth pursuing.”
Steve Witkoff Sets U.S. Expectations
U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff offered a clearer picture of the Trump administration’s objectives during an interview with Fox News:
- Iran must cap enrichment at 3.67% — the same limit set in the 2015 nuclear deal
- Talks must include verification on both enrichment and missile development
- Tehran’s stockpiling of advanced ballistic missiles remains a major concern
“We’re here to solve this diplomatically,” Witkoff said. “But there are red lines.”
Military Pressure Mounts
New satellite imagery confirmed the USS Carl Vinson‘s position near Socotra, an island at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Accompanying the carrier are:
- USS Princeton (guided-missile cruiser)
- USS Sterett and USS William P. Lawrence (Arleigh Burke-class destroyers)
The USS Harry S. Truman, already in the region, has been leading a U.S. campaign of 24/7 airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets, according to U.S. Central Command.
“This presence is part of shaping the environment ahead of negotiations,” one senior Pentagon official told reporters.
Khamenei’s Dual Messaging
While calling the initial talks “properly executed,” Khamenei warned against trusting Washington and emphasized that Iran’s internal affairs should not hinge on foreign negotiations.
“We are optimistic about our own capabilities,” he said, “but not overly optimistic about the other side.”
His remarks came amid speculation that Iran may be open to reducing its enrichment levels, a position echoed in the editorial pages of Javan, a publication tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
“We have done this before—why not again?” the editorial asked.
From Obama’s Deal to Trump’s Redefinition
The 2015 nuclear deal, negotiated under President Obama, capped enrichment at 3.67%, severely limited Iran’s uranium stockpile, and subjected the country to strict international inspections. In return, sanctions were lifted, and billions in frozen funds were released.
Trump abandoned that deal in 2018, citing:
- Iran’s missile program
- Lack of permanent restrictions
- Continued regional aggression
Witkoff confirmed that any new deal must address Iran’s missile arsenal and weaponization capabilities—terms likely to make Tehran wary.
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