President Donald Trump is considering deploying a second U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as talks with Iran resume, signaling that the possibility of military force remains high if diplomatic solutions fail.

Speaking in an interview with Axios on Tuesday, Trump said the possible deployment is part of a broader effort to pressure Tehran ahead of renewed talks following a brief but intense clash between the two nations last year.

"We're going to either reach a deal or we're going to have to do something very strong," Trump told Axios.

The U.S. and Iran resumed talks in Oman last Friday, the first discussions since a deadly clash on June 12, as the Trump administration continues a significant military buildup in the region. Trump said he expects a second round of talks to be held next week.

"We have a fleet going over there right now, and we may be sending another fleet," Trump said, adding that he is "considering" sending another carrier strike group.

U.S. officials confirmed to Axios that discussions about deploying a second carrier were underway.

The U.S. is already deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, comprised of fighter jets, Tomahawk missiles, and frigates, to the region. The U.S. operated two carrier strike groups in the Middle East during the Gaza war.

Despite the military posture, Trump expressed confidence in a diplomatic resolution, saying Iran "wants to negotiate" and is negotiating more seriously because of U.S. pressure.

"Many people didn't believe me when I said it (Iran would be willing to negotiate) back in June," Trump said, referring to a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. "They overplayed their hand."

This implies that Iran was either too confident or arrogant, or made excessive demands, which ruined its leverage.

"These talks are very different," Trump added.

Iran has publicly insisted that negotiations should focus solely on its nuclear program and that it will not relinquish its right to enrich uranium, a stance that has raised doubts among skeptical U.S. and Israeli hardliners about the possibility of a comprehensive deal.

Trump said it is "a given" that any deal must address Iran's nuclear ambitions and believes that Tehran's ballistic missile stockpile could also be included in discussions.

"We can make a good deal with Iran," he said.

The talks are unfolding as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington on Wednesday. Trump told Axios that Netanyahu "wants a deal."

"He wants a good deal," Trump said.

Netanyahu plans to outline Israel's position on what he calls the "core principles" of the negotiations ahead of his visit.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official, is meeting with regional mediators in Oman and Qatar, moves that U.S. officials see as an effort to shape the direction of future talks, Axios reported.

U.S. NNP=Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special correspondent for this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com