Here’s what happened.
President Donald Trump moved swiftly to project American strength abroad as tensions with Iran continue to rise, dispatching top U.S. officials to one of the Navy’s most powerful assets in the Middle East.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited the USS Abraham Lincoln during its active deployment in the Arabian Sea on Saturday.
The visit came just days after U.S. and Iran officials met in Oman to discuss Tehran’s nuclear ambitions—talks that have raised serious concerns among U.S. allies and national security experts.
WATCH:
🇺🇸 Witkoff and Kushner arrived on board the USS Abraham Lincoln
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 7, 2026
That is a signal to Iran pic.twitter.com/MzIbUB1M2y
Witkoff made clear that America’s sailors and Marines remain the backbone of President Trump’s long-standing strategy of peace through strength.
“These men and women are keeping America safe,” Witkoff said, adding that their presence sends a powerful message to adversaries watching closely across the region.
While aboard the carrier, the delegation observed live flight operations and met with the Navy pilot who recently intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone that approached the carrier under unclear and potentially hostile circumstances.
“We thanked the sailors and Marines, witnessed real-time operations, and spoke directly with those defending American interests,” Witkoff wrote on X. “They deter our enemies every day and show the world what U.S. military readiness and resolve truly look like.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego in November for the Indo-Pacific before being repositioned to the Middle East in January as regional threats intensified and Iranian activity increased.
Adm. Cooper praised the carrier strike group for its professionalism and unwavering commitment to the mission.
“The sailors and Marines serving here represent the very best of the United States military,” Cooper told the crew. “Their discipline, readiness, and dedication are on full display as they protect U.S. interests and uphold stability in a dangerous region.”
The show of force comes as Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to meet President Trump in Washington, D.C., later this week to discuss Iran’s expanding influence and ongoing security threats.
Netanyahu’s office stated that any meaningful agreement with Tehran must include strict limits on ballistic missile development and an end to Iran’s support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
President Trump and Netanyahu last met in September.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump described the Oman talks as encouraging but warned that results—not promises—will determine America’s next move.
“Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly,” Trump said. “Now we’ll see what kind of deal they’re really willing to make.”
