Trump expressed hope that Iran would soon make a decision to begin negotiations and agree to a fair and equal agreement that excludes the presence of nuclear weapons and benefits all parties. This statement was made by him on Truth Social.
He emphasizes that time is running out, and the next attack will be much more powerful than the strikes carried out during Operation "Midnight Hammer" in June 2025, when American forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump also reported the movement of a "huge armada" led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the region. "This powerful fleet is moving with great speed and determination. It is larger than the one sent to Venezuela," he noted, adding that the ships are ready to carry out their mission using force if necessary.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is ready to respond quickly and decisively to any aggressive actions.
“Our brave Armed Forces are ready — with fingers on the triggers — to immediately respond to any aggression against our land, airspace, and seas. The lessons learned during the 12-day war will allow us to act even more effectively,” Araghchi emphasized.
He also added that Iran has always supported the idea of a "mutually beneficial, fair, and equal" nuclear deal. "On equal terms, without pressure and threats, which guarantees Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear technologies and the absence of nuclear weapons. We have never sought to possess them," the minister concluded.
Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Shamkhani noted that retaliatory actions would be directed against both the U.S. and Israel, as well as against anyone who supports aggression.
According to media reports, Trump is considering new options for strikes against Iran. Possible actions include strikes against the leadership of the Islamic Republic and security forces who, according to the authorities, are responsible for suppressing protests, as well as strikes against nuclear facilities and government institutions.
It is reported that Trump believes that with the arrival of the carrier strike group, he now has more options for striking Iran than before.
In June of last year, the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day war with Israel. At that time, Trump claimed that the Iranian nuclear program had been destroyed.
In January, Iran faced large-scale anti-government protests. Trump threatened to use military force in response to the suppression of protests but then changed his mind, urging participants to continue the fight and assuring that help "is already on the way."
