Satellite imagery revealed that the USS Carl Vinson, along with its strike group, is now operating in the Arabian Sea, joining the USS Harry S. Truman. This deployment comes amid escalating tensions and ahead of renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. The U.S. has intensified its military pressure on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, linking these strikes to its broader strategy of pressuring Iran into negotiating limits on its nuclear program.
Uncertainty surrounds the upcoming U.S.-Iran talks, initially expected to be held in Rome but now possibly shifting back to Oman, following Iran’s insistence. President Trump’s phone call to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq suggests ongoing coordination. These talks carry immense weight as Trump threatens military action should negotiations fail to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while Iran, in turn, warns of advancing toward weapon-grade uranium enrichment if diplomacy stalls.
Khamenei Stresses Caution as U.S. Seeks Broader, Stricter Nuclear Deal Framework
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene,i commented on the progress of the initial round of negotiations, acknowledging a positive start but stressing the need for caution. He emphasized Iran’s clear “red lines” and warned officials not to rely too heavily on the outcomes of these talks for domestic planning. Khamenei expressed guarded optimism, noting Iran’s own capabilities as a source of confidence in the face of U.S. distrust.
USS Carl Vinson Joins Arabian Sea Deployment as U.S. Pressures Iran Ahead of High-Stakes Nuclear TalksU.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that the U.S. might base current negotiations on the 2015 nuclear deal framework. He emphasized the need for strict verification mechanisms, not only on uranium enrichment but also on Iran’s missile stockpile and any potential weaponization activities. Witkoff’s remarks suggest the U.S. seeks a broader and more stringent deal than the original accord that President Trump exited in 2018.
U.S. Urges Iran to Cap Uranium Enrichment, Missiles Remain Key Sticking Point
Witkoff revealed the U.S. is pushing for Iran to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67%—the cap set by the 2015 agreement—arguing there’s no civilian need to exceed it. Currently, Iran enriches up to 60%, a technically short leap to weapons-grade. Witkoff insisted that any legitimate civil nuclear program should remain below this threshold and reiterated the importance of rigorous oversight mechanisms as part of any new agreement.
Despite the hardline stance, Iran’s Javan newspaper suggested potential openness to reimplementing previous enrichment limits, signaling possible room for compromise. However, major hurdles remain, particularly regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program—an issue that contributed to Trump’s original withdrawal from the deal. Given Iran’s reliance on missiles for defense and regional leverage, convincing it to relinquish this capability may prove one of the toughest challenges ahead.