The United States is deploying a third aircraft carrier to waters near Iran, a US official confirmed to Al Jazeera, as the ongoing conflict enters its eighth month. This significant military buildup includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which departed San Diego on Sunday, followed by the Makin Island Marine Expeditionary Force with over 2,000 Marines.

By the end of November, the US plans to have three aircraft carriers and two amphibious landing groups positioned around Iran. This concentration of naval and ground forces is intended to provide President Donald Trump with a broader range of military options should he choose to escalate actions against Tehran, according to the official.

The new deployment adds thousands of troops and advanced air power, including F-35 fighter jets, to the estimated 50,000 US service members already stationed in the region. Pentagon and White House sources indicate the goal is to keep military options "on the table" for the President, irrespective of diplomatic progress. The Pentagon does not plan to withdraw assets even if a diplomatic agreement is reached.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that forces are "ready to go" if President Trump orders further strikes. The President himself has publicly maintained the threat of renewed military action, telling Fox News he believes the US will "win the war" soon and suggesting a return to military engagement is "possible."

Concurrently, Washington has intensified economic pressure on Iran, recently sanctioning the nation's rail and automotive conglomerates. The Treasury Department described these measures as an effort to deplete Tehran's remaining revenue streams, indicating a dual strategy of military posturing and economic attrition.

On the diplomatic front, Iran has proposed a seven-day roadmap, conveyed through Qatar. This proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks in exchange for the lifting of the US naval blockade, sanctions relief, and a regional ceasefire covering Lebanon and Yemen. However, President Trump has rejected this plan.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz reiterated Washington's stance, telling NBC that Iran's demands for frozen funds and sanctions relief are "non-negotiable." The diplomatic channel remains strained, with key demands from Iran being deemed unacceptable by the US.

The increased military presence and ongoing diplomatic deadlock raise concerns about potential further escalation. While the US maintains its military options, Iran's proposed roadmap suggests a willingness to engage diplomatically under specific conditions, highlighting the complex and volatile nature of the current situation.