News of a rapid expansion of U.S. forces in the Middle East flew under the radar as President Donald Trump’s tariff policy captivated the world. With direct U.S.-Iran talks set for Saturday in Oman, according to the White House, the deployment surge signaled Trump’s eagerness to play what he believes is a strong hand against the United States’s longtime foe, which has been weakened by recent events. Iran has contradicted the White House’s claim, saying the talks will be held indirectly. 

At stake in the talks is the fate of Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The Trump administration has signaled it believes Tehran is dangerously close to acquiring a nuclear weapon.