US news website Axios says President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. This comes as the US and Iran continue their talks on Tehran’s nuclear development.
On Tuesday, Trump told Axios in an interview that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to prepare for military action if the negotiations with Iran fail.
While high-level talks between the two countries resumed on Friday, the US has also been increasing military pressure on Iran. It has deployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian Sea near the Middle Eastern country.
In the interview, Trump said, “Either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time.” In June last year, the US attacked nuclear facilities in Iran.
But Axios also reported that Trump expressed optimism about finding a diplomatic solution. It quoted the president as saying Tehran “wants to make a deal very badly,” and is engaging much more seriously than previous talks due to the military threat.
Trump also said it would be possible for a deal to cover not just Iran’s nuclear program, but also its ballistic missile stockpiles. He added that he expects the second round of bilateral talks to take place next week.
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