16.02.2026 17:23
U.S. media claimed that if no agreement is reached in the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, it would be Israel, not Washington, that would strike Tehran. Accordingly, it was suggested that in a secret meeting held about two months ago between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, scenarios were presented in which the U.S. would provide only military and logistical support for possible Israeli attacks on Iran's ballistic missile infrastructure, without direct involvement.
As tensions rise between the US and Iran, striking claims have emerged regarding the behind-the-scenes contacts that are triggering a new military and diplomatic process.
ISRAEL WILL STRIKE IRAN, NOT THE US According to CBC News, in the planning in Washington, the focus has shifted from whether to attack Iran to how the US will support Israel. President Donald Trump conveyed in a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about two months ago that if an agreement with Iran could not be reached, they could support Israel's potential attacks on Tehran's ballistic missile infrastructure, but they would not attack themselves.
Following this meeting, the US military and intelligence agencies prepared plans on how to contribute to Israel's possible operation. Air refueling, the use of airspace by regional countries, and logistics support options were discussed in detail.
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AIRCRAFT CARRIER DEPLOYED TO THE REGION ON JANUARY 26 The region is witnessing increasing tensions due to the unprecedented military buildup by the US in the Middle East in preparation for a possible attack if Washington does not respond to Iran's nuclear program demands.
On January 28, President Donald Trump stated on his social media account that a massive "Armada" (a large naval force of the US Navy) was moving towards Iran, calling on the Tehran administration to reach an agreement, otherwise, a "worse attack" would be organized.
Trump indicated that this Armada is larger than the fleet sent to Venezuela, led by the "USS Abraham Lincoln" aircraft carrier, stating, "(The fleet) is ready, willing, and capable of carrying out its mission quickly and violently if necessary, just like in Venezuela."
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also announced on January 26 that the "USS Abraham Lincoln" aircraft carrier strike group was deployed to the Middle East to "support regional security and stability."
USS Abraham Lincoln CLAIM THAT THE US IS PREPARING TO SEND A SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO THE REGION Three US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal stated that the US could send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The unnamed officials claimed that the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) had instructed the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as part of preparations for the US military to potentially attack Iran.
Officials argued that President Donald Trump was considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to prepare for military action if negotiations with Iran failed, but no order had been given yet and the situation could change.
One of the officials claimed that if a decision were made, the Pentagon could deploy the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier to the region within two weeks from the US East Coast.
USS George H.W. Bush NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND THE US The nuclear talks between Iran and the US, which were interrupted after the attacks by Israel and the US on Iran in June 2025, were resumed in Oman on February 6. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated that "the negotiations in Muscat between Iran and the US ended with the parties agreeing to continue discussions." The negotiations took place during a period when tensions between Tehran and Washington were rising again, and Washington was increasing its military buildup against Tehran in the region.