Washington appeared to ramp up pressure on Tehran as its leading negotiators visited the US aircraft carrier that heads a powerful strike force off the waters of Iran, even as indirect nuclear talks between the adversaries proceeded.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- President Donald Trumps son-in-law -- visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on February 7, joined by Admiral Brad Cooper, chief of the US military's Central Command.
Today [we] met with the brave sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, her strike group, and Carrier Air Wing 9 who are keeping us safe and upholding President Trumps message of peace through strength,Witkoff saidon social media.
SEE ALSO:
Live Blog: US Sanctions Iran's Oil Sector As Oman Talks End
The carrier, based in San Diego, California, in November departed for deployment in the Indo-Pacific region before arriving in the Middle East in January,the military said.
'Very Good' Talks In Oman
The carrier visit comes after delegations from Tehran and Washington held talks mediated by Oman on February 6, discussions Trump labeled as very good.
While neither side announced concrete outcomes, both suggested negotiations over Irans nuclear program could continue in the near term.
Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is, Trump told reporters.
