Two U.S. Aircraft Carriers, B-2 Bombers Pressure Iran Toward Talks (From FOX News)

With Iran confirming participation in a second round of talks with the U.S. in Rome, there’s no doubt the two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers and other military forces deployed to U.S. Central Command are influencing Iran.  Watch the full video clip from FOX News here.

It has been years since there were real, direct talks on Iran’s nuclear program. As FOX News anchor Jon Scott pointed out, it was a surprise Iran even agreed to open talks in Oman on April 12.

The reason is clear.  On April 11, The White House said that all the options are on the table.  In tactical terms, all the options are not only on the table — they are also deployed to the Middle East.

Forces include two aircraft carriers deployed to Central Command and between four and six B-2 stealth bombers forward in Diego Garcia.  That has really gotten Iran’s attention, and they know President Donald J. Trump has a battle plan in case he needs it.  Iran either has to talk, or get their nuclear facilities bombed.  Trump has indicated he will carry out strikes if necessary, but clearly the plan is to get Iran to talk, and it’s working.  During his first term, Trump and other G-7 nations offered Iran immediate cash if they would begin talks, but nothing would bring them to the table.

Now the situation has changed, due in part to Israel’s devastation of Iran’s terrorist clients within Hamas and Hezbollah. However, Iran is also contained and hemmed in by U.S. forces.  Iran needs to talk, or they risk more instability in Iran itself.  That seems to have been critical in getting Iran’s foreign minister to show up in Oman, and actually convene talks.  deliberations. 

Retired Army General Jack Keane said April 12 that Iran has come to the conclusion that the White House “is dead serious about an Israeli-led, U.S. supported strike to take down their nuclear enterprise, if they don’t voluntarily dismantle it.” 

Keane is right, and here is how it might unfold.  Israel took out many of Iran’s air defenses last year, and could do so again.  Two aircraft carriers plus American land-based fighters in the region would continue to work over the air defenses and defend our forces. B-2 stealth bombers can use massive ordnance penetrators and other weapons to get at Iran’s underground targets.  That’s the threat display.

Remember, there is no reason for Iran to enrich their own uranium.  Iran is within about a week of enriching enough uranium to weapons-grade level to make one bomb, but it would take longer to produce an actual design of the weapon.  However, this enriched fuel is not needed for nuclear power.  Iran can buy nuclear power plant fuel on the global market like everyone else.

It is time for them to make a deal, and I think, due to Trump’s resolve and our military pressure, the pieces are falling into place.

Any agreement must include real inspections, limits on Iran’s ballistic missile development, and giving up some of that enriched uranium.

The situation in the Middle East has changed to the point where Iran is at risk at home.  Their President, Masoud Peshezkian, seems to understand the new reality, but pressure has to stay on.  Iran is awfully tricky.