Donald Trump’s peace delegation is engaged in critical nuclear discussions with Iranian representatives in Geneva this Thursday. This diplomatic effort comes as one of the United States’ largest naval vessels makes its way toward the Middle East.

The USS General Ford is set to reach the region by Friday, bringing with it 5,000 US military personnel and an impressive array of advanced military capabilities, both aerial and naval.

These negotiations are perceived as the Trump administration’s final opportunity to ease the escalating military tensions with Iran, as reported by Axios.

In his State of the Union address, President Trump expressed his desire to secure a deal with the Ayatollah that would ensure Tehran never develops a nuclear weapon. However, he also emphasized his readiness to engage in conflict if diplomatic efforts fail.

Furthermore, the US has positioned advanced F-22 Raptor fighter jets in Israel, ready for potential deployment, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The current round of talks has taken a temporary pause but is expected to continue later today. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has indicated that an “immediate agreement” may be within reach.

Trump’s peace envoy, led by Ambassador Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are demanding Tehran abandon their enriched uranium stockpile and agree any future nuclear deal will remain in effect indefinitely. 

The President, meanwhile, has assembled the largest military build-up in the Middle East not seen since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The military surge is widely viewed as an effort to pressure Iran into quickly agreeing to a long-term nuclear deal.

The talks are seen as the administration’s last-ditch effort to peacefully defuse military tensions with Iran

The President, meanwhile, has assembled the largest military build-up in the Middle East not seen since the 2003 invasion of Iraq

Trump has sent Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to lead talks with Iranian diplomats 

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is helping facilitate talks between the US and Iran by relaying messages between both sides. Moreover, US and Iranian negotiators are also engaging each other directly, Axios reports. 

Iranian diplomats reportedly opened the negotiations by presenting their draft proposal for a nuclear deal. It is unclear if that proposal addresses the key concerns of the US delegation. 

During the break, the Omani foreign minister told reporters that ‘we’ve been exchanging creative and positive ideas’ and ‘hope to make more progress.’

As Trump gives diplomacy one last chance with Iran, reports have emerged that the President’s closest advisers are split on whether to strike Iran. 

Vice President JD Vance and DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard have reportedly urged Trump to pursue diplomacy rather than launch a strike against Iran. 

Others in Trump’s orbit, including Senator Lindsey Graham, are advising him to launch a joint military operation with Israel aimed at overthrowing the Ayatollah’s regime.

Gulf nation allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have lobbied the White House to focus on negotiations over fears an Iranian streak could lead to a wider regional war.

Reports have also emerged suggesting Trump’s top military advisers have yet to provide firm assurances that a strike on Iran could be carried out without risking American casualties.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Pentagon officials have warned Trump that a military strike could be risky, resulting in a prolonged conflicts and a shortage of crucial munitions. 

Military advisers have also noted that Iran could strike back with attacks from proxy militia forces in the region. 

If an American attack happens, Iran has said all US military bases in the Mideast would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members.

Iran has also threatened to attack Israel following a bruising 12-day war last year, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East.

‘There would be no victory for anybody – it would be a devastating war,’ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva.

‘Since the Americans’ bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario.’

Araghchi again will sit across from Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy for the president.