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U.S. Deploys Two Aircraft Carriers as Iran Holds Live‑Fire Drills, Strike Decision Pending

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  • The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026.
    The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026. Source Full size
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  • US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history
    US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history
    Image: BBC
    US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026.
    Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026. Source Full size
  • MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) Source Full size
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  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
    Image: Newsweek
    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Source Full size
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  • US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history
    US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history
    Image: BBC
    US President Donald Trumps met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House in November, the first such meeting in the country's history (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026.
    Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group sail in formation in the Arabian Sea while aircraft fly overhead, on February 6, 2026. Source Full size
  • The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026.
    The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    The Iranian pre-Islamic revolution of 1979 flag is seen near the US Capitol during a march in support of the people of Iran by members of the American-Iranian community in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2026. Source Full size
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
    Image: Newsweek
    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement at the Ritz Hotel as he meets Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on January 30, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Source Full size
  • MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a key note speech at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. The conference, which brings together government leaders, security experts and defence ministers, is taking place at a time when the traditional western political and military alliance is facing rupture due to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) Source Full size
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Carrier Buildup Signals Escalating Pressure The United States has positioned the nuclear‑powered USS Abraham Lincoln near Iranian waters and ordered the world’s largest carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to join it within three weeks, creating a two‑carrier strike group supported by guided‑missile destroyers and fighter jets [2][3][5][7][8][12]. Tracking data placed the Gerald R. Ford off Morocco, suggesting a possible transit through Gibraltar before entering the eastern Mediterranean [2]. The deployment is intended to bolster air and missile capabilities for Israel and Jordan should the situation deteriorate [5].

Geneva Talks Yield Guiding Principles but No Agreement Indirect negotiations in Geneva produced a vague “set of guiding principles” on Iran’s nuclear program, but both sides remain far apart on key issues and no detailed proposal has been exchanged [2][3][6][10][13][14]. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described the meeting as “positive” and said Tehran will submit a written proposal within two weeks [10][13][14]. U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, warned that Iran has not acknowledged several U.S. red lines, keeping the diplomatic path uncertain [10][13][14].

Trump Weighs Weekend Strike While Decision Remains Fluid Military planners say U.S. forces could launch attacks on Iran as early as this weekend, but President Donald Trump has not given final authorization [4][6][8][9][13]. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered only a vague rationale for a possible strike, and Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. might need to use Diego Garcia and the UK’s Fairford airfield if negotiations fail [2][4]. Sources note the timing could be influenced by the end of the Winter Olympics, the start of Ramadan, and the upcoming State of the Union address [6].

Iran Conducts Live‑Fire Drills and Temporarily Closes Hormuz The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out a live‑fire exercise in the Strait of Hormuz, briefly closing sections of the waterway for several hours—the first such closure since the 1980s [2][8][11][12][13][14]. The drill involved missile launches and highlighted the strategic importance of the strait, which carries about 20 % of global oil shipments [11][12]. Satellite imagery also shows Iran reinforcing nuclear facilities with concrete and soil, indicating preparation for extended hostilities [8][12].

Regional Partners Urge Restraint Amid Heightened Tensions Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states have warned that a U.S.–Iran confrontation could destabilize energy flows and the broader region [1]. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed for dismantling Iran’s enrichment infrastructure, while the United States signals readiness to back Israeli strikes on Iran’s missile program [5][15]. Russia participated in a joint Iran‑Russia drill, whereas China was absent from this round of exercises [2].

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Primary Data (1)

Quinnipac: 7 Out Of 10 Voters Do Not Want The U.S. To Take Military Action Against Iran For Killing Of Protesters, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 70% Say Presidents Should Seek Congressional Approval Before Taking Military Action Against Another Country

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Timeline

Dec 12 2025 – President Donald Trump warns that the United States will strike any new Iranian nuclear facility if Tehran restarts its program without a deal, citing the June 2025 U.S.–Israeli strikes that destroyed key enrichment sites [25].

Dec 22 2025 – Iran’s foreign‑ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei declares the ballistic‑missile programme “defensive and non‑negotiable,” insisting it is meant solely to deter aggression [29].

Dec 27 2025 – President Masoud Pezeshkian tells an interview on the Supreme Leader’s website that Iran is at war with the United States, Israel and Europe, framing the conflict as more complex than the 1980‑88 Iran‑Iraq war [24].

Dec 30 2025 – Iran vows a “harsh and discouraging response” to any attack, while Trump reiterates the prospect of renewed military action during a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, linking it to Iran’s potential nuclear rebuilding [23].

Jan 3 2026 – Conservative U.S. lawmakers publicly rebuke Trump’s threat to intervene in Iran, while the Iranian foreign ministry warns the United States will bear full responsibility for any consequences of U.S. interference [22].

Jan 13 2026 – Trump considers “very strong options” on Iran as senior officials brief him on possible cyber, covert and kinetic actions; Vice President JD Vance urges diplomacy first [21].

Jan 14 2026 – Yemen’s Ansar Allah warns that any U.S. or Israeli aggression against Iran will bring “dire consequences” for the aggressors, underscoring the broader Axis of Resistance [20].

Jan 17 2026 – Trump tells Politico that Iran needs new leadership, signaling a shift in U.S. rhetoric amid the ongoing protest crackdown [19].

Jan 19 2026 – President Masoud Pezeshkian posts that any aggression against Iran’s Supreme Leader will trigger a full‑scale war, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warns criminals inside and outside Iran will be punished [18].

Jan 23 2026 – On Air Force One, Trump announces a “massive fleet” heading toward Iran, saying the armada may not need to be used but is positioned “just in case” [17].

Jan 24 2026 – IRGC commander Gen. Mohammad Pakpour warns the United States and Israel that the Revolutionary Guard is “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger” as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group moves into the Indian Ocean; protest death tolls rise above 5,200 [30].

Jan 27 2026 – A large billboard in Tehran’s Enghelab Square depicts the USS Abraham Lincoln drenched in blood, warning “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind” and signaling Tehran’s defiant messaging [16].

Jan 28 2026 – CENTCOM launches a multi‑day air‑power exercise in the Middle East; the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives in the region, marking the first major naval element of the U.S. buildup [15].

Jan 29 2026 – Trump weighs a major new strike on Iran after stalled nuclear‑missile talks, while senior adviser Ali Shamkhani threatens “unprecedented” retaliation against Israel; Iran simultaneously announces deployment of 1,000 strategic drones [14][13].

Jan 30 2026 – Trump asserts that Iran prefers a deal over war but demands an end to its nuclear program and the killing of protesters, while EU sanctions target IRGC officials and Iran’s foreign minister warns of “rapid retaliation” to any aggression [10][11]; analysts note the U.S. plans to withdraw roughly 1,000 troops from Syria in the coming months [2].

Jan 30 2026 – Iranian President Pezeshkian orders “fair and equitable” talks with the United States, and U.S. forces down an Iranian Shahed‑139 drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln; the White House confirms envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Iranian officials in Turkey despite the incident [4][7][26].

Feb 2 2026 – President Pezeshkian announces the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States, while Trump expresses optimism that a deal can avert conflict and the U.S. carrier group moves toward West Asia [27].

Feb 3 2026 – An F‑35C from the USS Abraham Lincoln shoots down an aggressively approaching Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea; the same day Pezeshkian directs the foreign minister to pursue “fair and equitable” negotiations, and the White House says envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Turkey for talks [4][7][26].

Feb 4 2026 – U.S. Central Command confirms the drone intercept as self‑defence, while Karoline Leavitt reiterates that diplomatic negotiations remain scheduled for later in the week and Trump keeps “a range of options on the table” [4].

Feb 6 2026 – Iran‑U.S. talks in Oman, mediated by Sultan Badr Albusaidi, are described as a “good beginning” focused exclusively on nuclear issues, though the U.S. also seeks to raise Iran’s missile programme and regional proxy support [3].

Feb 11 2026 – After Israel’s 12‑day war in June and Iran’s subsequent protest crackdown, both sides consider a second round of nuclear talks; Trump escalates pressure by moving additional naval assets into the Persian Gulf and warning of a strike if Iran responds to protest‑related killings [6].

Feb 19 2026 – The White House urges Iran to strike a deal with President Trump, while the Navy positions the USS Abraham Lincoln near Iranian waters and plans to send the world’s largest carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, within three weeks (expected by mid‑March); Iran’s Supreme Leader posts an AI‑generated image of the Gerald R Ford sinking, and the IRGC conducts a live‑fire drill in the Strait of Hormuz [1][2].

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