Feb 7, 2026, 8:17 p.mFeb 7, 2026, 8:33 p.m
One day after their negotiations with Iran in Oman, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner visited the aircraft carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln” that was relocated to the region. Among other things, they thanked sailors and marines there and followed flight operations, Witkoff said on the X platform. He said he was proud to stand with the men and women who defended America’s interests, deterred its adversaries and showed the world what American resolve looks like.
Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Jared Kushner, and I 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 Trump’s message of peace… pic.twitter.com/7Kc4XZuBY6
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) February 7, 2026
Shortly after the start of new negotiations mediated by Oman, the visit can be seen as a further signal from the Americans to Iran that they will not back down from their military threats. It took place at the invitation of the commander in chief of American forces in the region, Admiral Brad Cooper, as the US broadcaster CNN reported, citing a senior US official.
Cooper was part of the US delegation led by Witkoff and Kushner at the talks with Iran on Friday. Iran saw this as an attempt at a “show of force,” as the Nur-News online portal reported. «Introducing the military component increases the risk and costs of the negotiations; “The responsibility for this lies with the USA,” said a report. According to CNN information, both Oman and Iran were informed in advance about Kushner and Witkoff’s visit to the aircraft carrier.
Trump has threatened military intervention several times
The USA had recently massively increased its military presence near Iran and in the process also relocated the aircraft carrier to the Middle East. This is powered by a nuclear reactor and usually carries several thousand soldiers and dozens of fighter aircraft and is accompanied by Navy destroyers.
US President Donald Trump had recently threatened the leadership in Tehran with military intervention several times and justified this, among other things, with the brutal crackdown by the state against demonstrators in the recent mass protests. He also repeatedly makes it clear that Iran’s controversial nuclear program is a thorn in his side.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss ongoing talks with Iran with Trump in Washington on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s office announced this on the X platform. (sda/dpa)
Netanyahu insists on taking a hard line in Iran talks
Netanyahu said any negotiations between the United States and Iran must include both a limit on ballistic missiles and an end to support for Iran’s allies in the region. Representatives of the US government and Iran began talks in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday. A date for a possible sequel has not yet been set. Iran has stated several times that it only wants to negotiate its controversial nuclear program. The leadership in Tehran has so far refused to discuss further points of contention. Israeli Iran expert Danny Citrinowicz wrote on (sda/dpa)
Image: EPA