Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, suggesting that new American airstrikes could unleash ‘significant destruction’ within days.

The former US president declared that the country’s ‘formidable fleet’ stands poised to strike with ‘swiftness and force’ unless Iran abandons its nuclear aspirations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “An extensive fleet is en route to Iran. It advances with urgency, tremendous strength, and clear intent. This armada, led by the formidable Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, surpasses the one sent to Venezuela.”

He continued, “This fleet, like the one near Venezuela, is prepared, eager, and equipped to execute its mission swiftly and forcefully, if required. It is hoped that Iran will soon ‘Come to the Table’ to negotiate a fair agreement – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – beneficial for all involved.”

Trump urged, “Time is of the utmost importance! As I have previously informed Iran, MAKE A DEAL! They failed to do so, resulting in ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a significant devastation of Iran. The next strike will be even more severe! Avoid repeating that mistake.”

Analyst warns US strike on Iran could be imminent

Shashank Joshi, the defence editor for The Economist, shared with the BBC’s Today Programme his belief that a US assault on Iran seemed ‘probable in the near future,’ emphasizing, “We remain on a trajectory toward a large-scale, impactful US military operation.”

In response, Iran’s mission to the UN said Tehran ‘stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests’, but if provoked, ‘IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE’.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch a major military operation against Iran over its treatment of its civilians amid the civil uprising that began last month. 

There were claims that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s forces have slaughtered at least 30,000 people, following the start of mass protests across the country in late December that have since apparently been quelled. 

US carrier strike group enters Middle East region

The United States Navy’s Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group entered the Central Command’s zone of responsibility on Monday, after being redirected from operations in the Indo-Pacific, providing America with the ability to respond to the crisis.

The flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), was escorted by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Frank E Petersen, Jr (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).

Ambrey, a private security firm, issued a notice on Tuesday saying it assessed that the US ‘has positioned sufficient military capability to conduct kinetic operations against Iran while maintaining the ability to defend itself and regional allies from reciprocal action’. 

‘Supporting or avenging Iranian protesters in punitive strikes is assessed as insufficient justification for sustained military conflict,’ Ambrey wrote. 

‘However, alternative objectives, such as the degradation of Iranian military capabilities, may increase the likelihood of limited US intervention.’

Iran warns any attack would be treated as all-out war

‘We think strikes on Iran are likely, unless the Iranians accept Trump’s extensive demands to decommission their nuclear program – which doesn’t look likely,’ Bloomberg Economics analysts Becca Wasser and Dina Esfandiary wrote. 

Tehran will treat any attack ‘as an all-out war against us’, a senior Iranian official warned. ‘If the Americans violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will respond.’

Iran has repeatedly threatened to drag the entire Mideast into a war, though its air defences and military are still reeling after the June war launched by Israel against the country. 

But the pressure on its economy may spark new unrest as everyday goods slowly go out of reach of its people – particularly if Trump chooses to attack.

The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers accompanying it provide the US the ability to strike Iran, particularly as Gulf Arab states have signalled they want to stay out of any attack despite hosting American military personnel.

Two Iranian-backed militias in the Mideast have signalled their willingness to launch new attacks, likely trying to back Iran after Trump threatened military action over the killing of peaceful protesters or Tehran launching mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations.

Tehran and Washington may still reach a deal, but Trump has previously called on the regime to agree to terms it has balked out – including giving up its nuclear enrichment entirely, relinquishing its long-range missiles, and ending support for armed groups in the region.

The US president has earlier said Tehran’s nuclear programme was ‘obliterated’ in the strikes last June that hit three facilities across the country. 

Earlier in January, Trump said Iranian officials had reached out to restart negotiations with Washington that were suspended after the June attacks. 

But signs have emerged that the regime could resume its nuclear programme if it wanted; the director of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said in an interview last week that Iran retains its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium. 

Trump warns Iran US is ‘watching’ amid armada

Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States is ‘watching’ and has an armada headed toward the region a week after violent protests that many believed would force Trump to strike Tehran. 

Speaking on Air Force One on his way home from the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Trump reiterated that, ‘We’re watching Iran.’ 

That includes military ships that are headed toward the region should they be needed. 

‘We have a big flotilla going in that direction. We’ll see what happens. We have a big force going toward Iran,’ Trump said. ‘I’d rather not see anything happen but we’re watching them very closely.’

Recent military movements have seen U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles arrive in Jordan as part of a broader strategic buildup that includes the westward transit of the USS

Carrier Strike Group. Currently moving from the South China Sea toward the Persian Gulf, this naval force is equipped with destroyers, F-35 stealth fighters, and electronic-jamming aircraft, underscoring Washington’s intent to project both deterrence and rapid-response capability in the region. 

He warned that the US forces, including a ‘massive armada,’ may have to act with strikes on Tehran but added, ‘Maybe we won’t have to use it, we’ll see.’

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