Axios: Trump threatens to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East if negotiations with Iran fail

US President Donald Trump said he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East in the event of the failure of negotiations with Iran.

This came in an interview with Axios on Tuesday, in which he explained that he may send a second aircraft carrier to the region in case negotiations with Tehran falter, in anticipation of possible military action.

“Either we reach an agreement with Iran or we will have to take very tough action like last time,” he said, expressing hope that the second round of negotiations could be held next week.

“We’ve a fleet going there, and we may send another fleet as well”.

Trump explained that Iran didn’t believe the previous time (in June 2025) that the United States would launch an attack, but Washington targeted Iranian nuclear facilities at the time, adding: “The talks this time are different”.

He stressed that any potential deal with Iran must include its nuclear program in all its aspects, as well as its ballistic missile program.

The US aircraft carrier USS Lincoln and its attack group, which includes several warships, are currently in the area.

On Wednesday, the US president is scheduled to meet at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prior to his trip to Washington, Netanyahu had said he would convey Israel’s views and principles on the course of negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Trump revealed that he expects the second round of talks between the United States and Iran to be held next week.

On Friday, indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran took place in the Omani capital Muscat, at a time when tensions between them are escalating, amid a US military build-up in the region against Tehran.

Tehran believes that the US administration and Israel are creating pretexts for military intervention and regime change in the country, and it vows to respond to any military attack, even if its limited, and insists on lifting Western economic sanctions imposed on it in exchange for restricting its nuclear program.

In return, the United States is demanding that Iran cease its uranium enrichment activities completely and transfer highly enriched uranium out of the country.