President Trump issued a forceful warning to Iran on Wednesday, saying “time is running out” for Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal as a substantial U.S. naval force moves into the Middle East.
In a message on social media, Trump said a large American naval armada, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is heading toward the Persian Gulf and urged Iran to “come to the table” to negotiate an agreement that would prevent the development of nuclear weapons. He repeated threats that if Iran refuses to negotiate, future U.S. military action could be “far worse” than past strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
In response, Iran’s mission to the UN said Tehran “stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests.” But the response also noted in all caps if pushed, the country would “respond like never before.”
The president’s comments come amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and widespread domestic unrest in the country, where a prolonged crackdown on protests has drawn international concern.
Trump’s comments underscored both diplomatic pressure and a growing military presence in the region, with U.S. forces reported to be deploying as part of a broader effort to influence Tehran’s strategic decisions.
Iran’s officials rejected negotiating under threat, stating conditions for talks must be based on mutual respect and without coercion. Tehran’s mission to the United Nations responded through social media that Iran is prepared for dialogue but said it would defend itself if attacked.
The heightened rhetoric reflects continuing U.S. concerns about Iran’s uranium enrichment and missile programs, and comes as several Gulf states have expressed reluctance to allow U.S. military action to use their territory or airspace, complicating potential operational plans.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, Trump said the United States has “a lot of ships going that direction, just in case,” and emphasized that he hopes military force will not be necessary. Trump reiterated warnings to Iran over the killing of protesters and the potential resumption of its nuclear activities.
“We have a lot of ships going that direction just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the Davos summit in Switzerland. “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”
“We have an armada — we have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said, appearing to describe the deployment as a precautionary measure while closely watching developments in the region.
Trump has previously warned Iran of severe consequences if mass executions or nuclear program expansion occur.
The reported naval movement toward Iran also influenced global markets, with oil prices rebounding following renewed concerns about potential conflicts disrupting supplies from the region.
Meanwhile, Trump said Thursday that negotiators have established a “framework of a future deal” regarding the strategic Arctic territory of Greenland and that more details will be released in about two weeks.
Trump, speaking from Washington after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have agreed on a preliminary framework with respect to Greenland and the broader Arctic region, though he did not provide specifics about the terms. He said further discussions will be conducted by senior U.S. officials and a detailed outline will be available within two weeks.
The announcement came after Trump withdrew his earlier threat to impose tariffs on several European countries that had opposed his push for greater U.S. involvement in Greenland, saying the new framework helped defuse tensions. Trump also reiterated that the United States would not use military force to take control of Greenland.
