US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to Israel next week to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations, according to two Trump administration officials who spoke anonymously. Rubio is expected to meet Netanyahu on February 28. The United States and Iran have recently completed two rounds of indirect talks regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Both sides have expressed cautious optimism. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “a new window has opened” for a potential agreement. US Vice President JD Vance noted that while parts of the discussions were productive, Iran has not yet accepted certain red lines set by President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu recently visited the White House, urging Trump to ensure that any nuclear deal also addresses Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump is considering possible military action against Iran as the administration increases US military presence in the region. He recently suggested that a change in Iran’s leadership could be beneficial.

The US has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to the Middle East, joining another carrier and additional military assets. Dozens of fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s, have also been sent to the region. Open-source analysts report that numerous refueling tankers, cargo planes, and support aircraft, including E-3 early-warning planes from bases in Japan, Germany, and Hawaii, have been repositioned to strengthen operational coordination.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.