The U.S. is reinforcing its air and naval presence in the Middle East ahead of Tuesday’s nuclear talks with Iran, reportedly preparing for the possibility of weeks-long military operations if President Donald Trump orders an attack.
CNN reported that U.S. Air Force assets from the U.K., including refueling tankers and fighter jets, are moving closer to the region. Dozens of cargo flights have delivered equipment to Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, and several units originally scheduled to rotate out have had their deployments extended.
U.S. officials said on Friday that the Pentagon is deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with thousands of troops, fighter aircraft, guided‑missile destroyers, and other firepower capable of both launching and defending against attacks.
Trump, who had repeatedly threatened to strike Iran over its crackdown on nationwide protests and its supposed refusal to come to the table to craft a nuclear deal, said on Friday that it had “been difficult to make a deal” with Iran. “Sometimes you have to have fear. That’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of,” Trump added.
Trump said on Monday that he will participate “indirectly” in the second round of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and Washington in Geneva on Tuesday. “I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” he said. “Iran is a very tough negotiator.”
Trump said he believes Tehran is now motivated to reach an agreement, having faced the consequences of its hardline stance last June, when the U.S. joined Israel in a 12-day conflict against Iran and struck three of its nuclear sites.
“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said.
Joined by nuclear experts, I will meet @rafaelmgrossi on Mon for deep technical discussion. Also meeting @badralbusaidi ahead of diplomacy with U.S. on Tues.
I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal.
What is not on the table: submission before threats— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 16, 2026
Meanwhile, Iranian diplomat Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Geneva earlier on Monday, said he was in the city “with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal.”
“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” he added.
