President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a “massive Armada” of U.S. naval forces is heading toward Iran and warned Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal or face consequences “far worse” than past strikes.
Trump wrote on social media that the fleet, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanied by multiple destroyers, is moving quickly “with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose.” He compared the deployment to previous operations, saying it is larger than the force once sent toward Venezuela and is ready to act “with speed and violence, if necessary.”
Trump urged Iran to “Come to the Table” and agree to a deal that would eliminate its nuclear weapons ambitions. He referenced a past U.S. military operation, saying Iran did not agree when previously warned and suffered significant damage under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” hinting that any future action would be even more severe.
The buildup follows last year’s U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites using bunker‑busting bombs and cruise missiles, which Trump said had “obliterated” the facilities. The president has repeatedly warned Iran not to rebuild or rearm its nuclear program.
Trump also tied the military posture to Iran’s internal turmoil and the deadly crackdown on protesters. Earlier this month, his administration sanctioned Iranian officials over human rights abuses, and he imposed a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran.
Last Thursday, Trump told reporters that the U.S. was moving a large number of ships toward Iran “just in case” and that the situation was being monitored closely.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that the Abraham Lincoln strike group entered the Middle East area of operations earlier this week, reinforcing the U.S. military presence in the region. The deployment adds about 5,000 American troops to an area that already hosts more than 30,000 U.S. personnel across multiple facilities, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and other Gulf states. While aircraft carriers have routinely operated in the Middle East for decades, there had been no carrier presence since last summer.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded to Trump’s latest warnings with a statement rejecting foreign threats. The Iranian statement referenced past U.S. military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq and said Iran would defend itself “and respond like never before” if pushed. Iran’s foreign minister said any negotiations must occur without threats or excessive demands, asserting that he had not received a direct request for talks from the U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, testifying before the Senate, framed the increased U.S. force posture as a necessary baseline to protect American troops and allies, including Israel, from Iranian drones and missiles. Rubio said the United States must be prepared to defend its regional presence and, if necessary, take preemptive action to prevent Iranian strikes.
Rubio also discussed the ongoing protest movement inside Iran, noting that thousands have died in the government’s crackdown and that unresolved grievances will likely fuel future unrest. He called the Iranian regime weaker than ever due to economic failure and sustained public resistance.
Rubio acknowledged uncertainty about Iran’s future leadership, observing that any transition — should Iran’s supreme authority be removed — would be complex and unpredictable, even if there were hopes for a peaceful outcome similar to changes in other nations.
