On Saturday, U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner and Admiral Brad Cooper, who commands U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), paid a visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln stationed in the Arabian Sea as part of its planned deployment.
This visit occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions with Iran. Witkoff expressed appreciation for the service members, commending them for “ensuring our safety and reinforcing President Trump’s stance on maintaining peace through strength.” This visit coincided with U.S.-Iran discussions in Oman concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Witkoff shared on X, “We expressed gratitude to the sailors and Marines, witnessed live flight operations, and conversed with the pilot responsible for downing an Iranian drone that approached the carrier with ambiguous intentions. It was an honor to stand alongside those safeguarding our interests, deterring threats, and exemplifying American preparedness and determination every day.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln departed from San Diego in November, initially heading to the Indo-Pacific region before repositioning to the Middle East in January.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner made their way to the USS Lincoln on Saturday, stationed in the Arabian Sea. (CENTCOM/X)
Admiral Cooper addressed the crew, saying, “I join the American public in expressing immense pride in the Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. Their unwavering commitment and professionalism are evident here in the Middle East as they showcase U.S. military readiness and power.”
This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he would meet with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to discuss Iran.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner flew out to the USS Lincoln with Adam Cooper on Saturday, according to officials. (CENTCOM/X)
“The prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,” Netanyahu’s office said, referring to Tehran’s support for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
The two leaders last met in September.
Trump described Friday’s Oman talks, which included Witkoff and Kushner, as “very good.”
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner greeting Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi ahead of U.S.-Iran talks, in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday. (Oman Foreign Ministry/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly,” the president told reporters Friday aboard Air Force One en route to Mar-a-Lago. “We have to see what that deal is.”
