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Amid escalating tensions with Iran, former President Donald Trump’s unexpected suggestion of direct negotiations has coincided with a display of American military strength. The Pentagon has deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, a strategically important base in the Indian Ocean, signaling U.S. resolve in the region.
B-2 Bomber Deployment to Diego Garcia Signals U.S. Resolve
Satellite imagery has confirmed the arrival of six nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit bombers at Diego Garcia. This British-owned territory serves as a crucial naval installation and has been pivotal in past U.S. military operations. The deployment occurs against a backdrop of heightened military activity.
Heightened Tensions and Military Posturing
The Pentagon has intensified its campaign of daily strikes against Houthi militants, who are supported by Iran. Simultaneously, Trump has consistently reiterated his firm stance that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. These actions collectively project a strong message to Tehran.
Daryl Press, director of the Initiative for Global Security at Dartmouth College, commented to ABC News, stating, “The movement of the aircraft to Diego Garcia definitely sends a signal to Iran about the extent to which they are in jeopardy, and the extent of seriousness the Trump administration feels with regard to its various demands.”
Analysis of commercial satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC corroborated the bomber deployment.
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Trump Announces Potential Direct Talks with Iran
On Monday, Trump stated that the U.S. would engage in high-level “direct” discussions with Iran. This announcement was coupled with renewed warnings and demands concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions, emphasizing that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
“We’re having direct talks with Iran. And they’ve started,” Trump informed reporters in the Oval Office, while alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a prominent critic of Iran.
Oman is reportedly the intended location for these talks. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated that any discussions would be “indirect,” reflecting the long-standing strained relationship between the two nations.
Indirect Negotiations Anticipated by Iran
Araqchi told Iran’s state news agency IRNA, as reported by Reuters, that “Indirect negotiations can guarantee a genuine and effective dialogue.”
Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC show six B-2 stealth bombers. The U.S. continues strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Experts suggest the overt presence of these aircraft conveys a message to Tehran.
Trump’s Threats Precede Talk of Diplomacy
This disclosure of potential talks followed closely on the heels of Trump’s recent threats made to NBC News. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,” he asserted.
B-2 bombers are equipped to carry substantial ordnance, including bunker-buster bombs, suitable for targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. These aircraft are capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear weapons.
Military blogger Ken Klippenstein cited experts who described the deployment as the largest concentration of B-2s at a forward operating base to date. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt, former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to NATO, succinctly framed it as a clear message: “do you see our sword?”
In a separate development, over the weekend, Trump dismissed U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the sole female officer on NATO’s military committee, for reasons that remain undisclosed, according to an AP report.
President Trump announced that the U.S. would engage in direct talks with Iran on Saturday.
DailyMail.com has sought comment from the Pentagon regarding the bomber deployment.
Details of Proposed Talks Remain Vague
Speaking to the press, Trump indicated the prospective meeting with Iran would occur on Saturday but declined to specify the location.
“We’ll see what can happen,” he stated.
“All I can tell you is there’s a major meeting going on,” Trump added when questioned further, describing it as “top level.”
High Stakes Diplomacy
The stakes are considerable, as direct dialogue of this nature between the U.S. and Iran has been avoided for years. The Iran nuclear agreement, dismantled by Trump after its implementation under the Obama administration, was originally negotiated through multilateral discussions.
“I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious. And the obvious is not something that I want to be involved with, or frankly, that Israel wants to be involved with, if they can avoid it,” Trump remarked. “So we are going to see if we can avoid it, but it’s getting to be very dangerous territory, and hopefully those talks will be successful.”
“And I think it would be in Iran’s best interests if they are successful.”
Trump Warns Iran on Nuclear Program
When questioned about the repercussions if Iran refuses to abandon its nuclear program, Trump warned, “I think if the talks aren’t successful with Iran, I think Iran is going to be in great danger.”
“Because they can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s not a complicated formula. Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he reiterated.
“If the talks aren’t successful, I actually think it’ll be a very bad day for Iran if that’s the case.”
First Direct Talks Since 2018
These would represent the first acknowledged direct discussions since the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear accord in 2018. Trump has consistently criticized the agreement as “horrible” and asserted that “we got nothing” from it.
Trump’s remarks coincided with a closely monitored meeting against the backdrop of a global market downturn, triggered by his imposition of a 10% across-the-board tariff and additional tariffs on over 60 countries.
Trump gave no indication of reconsidering his trade policies.
Trump did not disclose the participants in the prospective talks, which would require the approval of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
“We’re not looking at that,” Trump responded when asked about a potential pause following the substantial market sell-off.
Trump addressed a series of questions from U.S. and Israeli journalists after cancelling a planned press conference in the White House’s East Room.
Instead, he revealed the sensitive information regarding the Iran talks within the Oval Office, amidst mounting pressure related to the recently enacted tariffs. The White House has threatened to veto a Senate bill aimed at terminating the emergency declaration used to justify the tariffs.
Netanyahu Addresses Iran and Trade
Netanyahu offered fewer details concerning Iran but confirmed that discussions had taken place between the two leaders.
“We’re both United that Iran does not ever get nuclear weapons, if it could be done diplomatically in a full way, the way it was done in Libya, I think that would be a good thing,” he stated.
“That’s the end of my speech,” Netanyahu concluded after his brief remarks.
Divergent Views on Iran Deal Effectiveness
An Israeli reporter pressed Trump to explain how a new Iran agreement would surpass the effectiveness of the JCPOA, the Obama-era Iran deal that Trump abandoned.
“Well, I can’t really say that, but I think it will be different and maybe a lot stronger,” Trump initially responded, before abruptly shifting to the topic of a temporary ceasefire with Hamas to secure hostage releases in Gaza.
“But they were so happy when we made that first deal, because we did get a lot out. You know, I had people right in this office, this beautiful Oval Office. They came in, 10 people, hostages, you know that? And I said to him, so how was it and the stories they told me, I mean, as an example, I said to them, was there any sign of love?”
“Did the Hamas show any signs of like help or liking you? Did they wink at you? Did they give you a piece of bread extra? Did they give you a meal on the side like you know, you think of doing like what happened in Germany? What happened elsewhere? People would try and help people that were in unbelievable distress. They said no.”
Netanyahu Addresses Trade Deficit
Netanyahu began the meeting by addressing Trump’s trade concerns, following the U.S. imposition of a 17% tariff on imports from Israel.
“We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. We intend to do it very quickly. We think it’s the right thing to do. And we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers, a variety of trade barriers, that have been put up unnecessarily. And I think Israel can serve as a model for many countries who ought to do the same,” he announced.
The tariffs had reportedly surprised the Israeli government, which had just days prior signed an agreement to eliminate tariffs on U.S. products. Israel’s annual exports to the U.S. are approximately $22 billion.