The Pentagon is weighing deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, potentially sending the USS George H.W. Bush to join the USS Abraham Lincoln already in the region. The move signals heightened military readiness as nuclear negotiations with Iran hit critical roadblocks over uranium enrichment and missile limits.

This military build-up follows joint Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year and comes amid fragile diplomatic efforts. Oman recently facilitated talks between Washington and Tehran, though discussions broke down over Iran's refusal to include its ballistic missile program in negotiations. The U.S. has demanded Iran relinquish uranium enriched up to 60%, which is near weapons-grade levels.

President Trump has publicly balanced threats of military action with calls for continued diplomacy, telling Israeli media the U.S. might do "something very tough" if talks fail. Vice President JD Vance indicated Trump would set "red lines" on enrichment. The potential two-carrier presence would mark the first such deployment in nearly a year, underscoring the administration's dual approach of military pressure and diplomatic engagement as negotiations resume.