US sends more warships as Iran nuclear talks stall

The United States is deploying additional naval forces, including an aircraft carrier strike group and amphibious group with roughly 9,000 sailors and Marines, to the Middle East as diplomatic efforts with Iran stall over its nuclear program. The move expands military options as President Donald Trump considers whether to resume strikes against Iran. Iran has refused to transfer enriched uranium abroad, with officials insisting negotiations cannot resume until Washington meets conditions including sanctions relief, an end to the US maritime blockade, and a halt to regional hostilities. The deployments do not confirm an imminent attack, but tensions remain high ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. The diplomatic impasse is affecting Gulf markets and oil prices, with threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and undersea cables raising stakes. Mediation efforts by Pakistan, Russia, Qatar, and Oman have failed to bridge the gap between Iran's demands for sanctions relief and Washington's requirement for guarantees against nuclear weapons development.