White House Pushes Iran Amid Military Build-Up

The White House has urged Iran to reach a nuclear deal while simultaneously ramping up its military presence in the region. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump still hopes for a diplomatic resolution, even as reports suggest he is considering potential military action. The U.S. has deployed a second battleship and is tracking the movement of fighter jets near Iran’s waters.

Recent indirect talks in Geneva between Washington and Tehran reportedly achieved progress on guiding principles for resolving the nuclear dispute, though key differences remain. Iran seeks discussions focused on its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, while the U.S. and its allies have also raised concerns about missile development. Oman, which is mediating the talks, stated that negotiations concluded with “good progress” on common aims and technical matters.

The escalating military tension includes the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and the expected arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford in the Middle East. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted a maritime drill in the Strait of Hormuz. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted an AI-generated image of the Ford at the bottom of the sea, warning against U.S. attempts to pre-determine negotiation outcomes.

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