US–Iran tensions are entering a delicate phase: diplomacy and deterrence at the same time. While indirect nuclear talks resumed in Oman and were described as a “good start”, a dramatic incident unfolded in the Arabian Sea — a drone approached a US aircraft carrier and was shot down by a pilot aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner later visited the carrier, reinforcing what Washington calls a “peace through strength” approach amid high-octane upcoming meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.