CENTCOM showcases war readiness as US-Iran talks intensify
Washington DC, May 22
Amid intense indirect discussion over a ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran, US Central Command said that the strike group of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is maintaining peak readiness if it is called to action.
In a post on X, CENTCOM shared images of US Navy fighter jets launching from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), showing US strength and preparedness for war.
CENTCOM also stated that it continues to enforce the US blockade against Iranian ports, a move Washington pulled out after Tehran exercised its control on the Strait of Hormuz.
"US Navy fighter jets launch from aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is maintaining peak readiness while enforcing the US blockade against Iranian ports," CENTCOM said.
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran are engaged in indirect talks aimed at developing a framework for a possible agreement, Iran's ISNA News Agency reported.
According to the report, the two sides are currently exchanging messages and draft texts. An Iranian official earlier told Al Jazeera that negotiators were "very close" to reaching an understanding.
The report also said that intensive mediation efforts are underway, with Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, currently in Iran to discuss the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Al Jazeera noted that it is still too early to determine whether a final agreement is within reach.
The talks come at a critical juncture as the US has coughed up much of its advanced missile defence interceptors' inventory after burning the candle at both ends for defending Israel using munitions as compared to Israel itself in its war with Iran, The Washington Post has learnt.
Trump remains adamant to neutralise Tehran's nuclear capabilities. He told reporters, "We will get it. We don't need it, we don't want it. We'll probably destroy it after we get it, but we're not going to let them have it."
Iran is believed to possess around 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, considered sufficient for potential weapons development if further refined. Retrieving or neutralising the stockpile remains a central objective of Trump's military and diplomatic strategy towards Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that the stockpile of enriched "uranium should not leave the country," rejecting the US President Donald Trump's key demand in ongoing peace talks, Reuters reported, quoting two Iranian sources.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting how Pakistan is playing mediator here. Meanwhile, we're watching from the sidelines as our neighbors get involved. India should have a seat at these talks since any conflict in the Gulf directly impacts our 9 million diaspora there. 🇮🇳
The US has used up so many missile interceptors for Israel's defense. This shows how stretched they really are despite all the show of strength. Trump talking about destroying Iran's nuclear material is just rhetoric - you can't just 'destroy' enriched uranium that easily.
Watching from the US, I can say many Americans are tired of endless Middle East entanglements. But the military-industrial complex keeps pushing for confrontation. India is our friend, but this is not our finest moment. 😔
Khamenei's refusal to let the uranium leave Iran is classic brinkmanship. These indirect talks through Pakistan and others are going nowhere fast. India needs to prepare for oil price spikes if things escalate. Our strategic reserves are important right now.
As someone who lived through the Iran-Iraq war, this saber-rattling is dangerous. But I respect India's balanced approach - maintaining ties with both the US and Iran while protecting your own interests. Not easy to do.
The US blockade against Iranian ports is illegal under international law. But who's going to enforce that? India's Chabahar port development with Iran is now more important than ever - we need that alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.