U.S. Considers Second Carrier Strike Group to Iran Amid Negotiations; Dow Rebounds from Daily Low

U.S. President Joe Biden is considering dispatching a second carrier strike group to the Middle East if diplomatic talks with Iran collapse, according to Axios interviews. The news prompted the Dow Jones Industrial Average to briefly erase its afternoon gains and reach a daily low of 50,115.03 before rebounding to close +52.27 points at 50,188.14, matching a new session high. Talks resumed in Manama after a 12-day break, with officials reporting a potential second group could be deployed from the Atlantic or the Caribbean. The administration maintains a hard stance, signaling escalation is an option if negotiations fail. Meanwhile, oil prices retreated slightly, with WTI crude closing at about $63.90 per barrel.