DUBAI – In a striking display of military posturing, both Iran and the United States ramped up their naval activities on Thursday, amid ongoing nuclear negotiations. Tehran conducted maritime exercises with Russia, while the U.S. further intensified its presence in the Middle East by deploying an additional aircraft carrier.

The Iranian exercises, complemented by the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford near the Mediterranean’s entrance, highlight escalating tensions. Earlier this week, Iran also staged a live-fire drill in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway where approximately 20% of the world’s oil trade flows.

While the increased movement of American naval forces doesn’t necessarily indicate an imminent U.S. strike on Iran, it equips President Donald Trump with the strategic capability to launch an attack if deemed necessary. So far, Trump has refrained from military action, despite previously setting strict conditions regarding Iran’s domestic policies and recent mass executions. These developments occur as nuclear discussions, previously stalled by the Iran-Israel conflict in June, attempt to gain traction once more.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted the potential need for U.S. military action, mentioning Diego Garcia and the airfield at Fairford as possible operational bases. This message also served as a nudge to the United Kingdom amidst its negotiations with Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands.

Domestically, Iran faces significant unrest following a government crackdown on protests, with mourners now commemorating those killed by security forces 40 days ago. Despite threats from authorities, some gatherings have turned into anti-government demonstrations.

Iran’s drills with Russia add another layer of complexity to the already tense geopolitical landscape.

The drill Thursday saw Iranian forces and Russian sailors conduct operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported. The drill will be aimed at “upgrading operational coordination as well as exchange of military experiences,” IRNA added.

China had joined the “Security Belt” drill in previous years, but there was no acknowledgment it participated in this round. In recent days, a vessel that appeared to be a Steregushchiy-class Russian corvette had been seen at a military port in the Iranian city of Bandar Abbas.

Iran also issued a rocket-fire warning to pilots in the region, suggesting they planned to launch anti-ship missiles in the exercise.

Meanwhile, tracking data showed the Ford off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean midday Wednesday, meaning the carrier could transit through Gibraltar and potentially station in the eastern Mediterranean with its supporting guided-missile destroyers.

Having the carrier there could allow American forces to have extra aircraft and anti-missile power to potentially protect Israel and Jordan should a conflict break out with Iran. The U.S. similarly placed warships there during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip to protect against Iranian fire.

Anti-government chants made at mourning ceremonies

Mourning ceremonies for those killed by security forces in the protests last month also have increased. Iranians traditionally mark the death of a loved one 40 days after the loss. Both witnesses and social media videos showed memorials taking place at Tehran’s massive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. Some memorials included people chanting against Iran’s theocracy while singing nationalistic songs.

The demonstrations began Dec. 28 at Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar, initially over the collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial, then spread across the country. Tensions exploded on Jan. 8, with demonstrations called for by Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi.

Iran’s government has offered only one death toll for the violence, with 3,117 people killed. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous rounds of unrest in Iran, puts the death toll at over 7,000 killed, with many more feared dead.

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Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.