‘Time Is Running Out’: Trump Warns Iran To Make Nuclear Deal Or Face Another U.S. Attack

President Donald Trump warned Iran early Wednesday morning that it must agree to a nuclear weapons deal or risk an attack from the United States. 

Trump said on Truth Social that a “massive Armada” of American warships is moving toward Iran and is prepared to take action if Tehran doesn’t “come to the table.” The president made multiple references to the operation in Venezuela earlier this month that led to the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro. 

“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela,” Trump wrote. “Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties.”

Trump also pointed to the Air Force’s June bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities during “Operation Midnight Hammer,” warning that the “next attack” would be even more destructive if Iran failed to begin negotiations. 

“Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said. 

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees the Middle East, said Monday that it would conduct a multi-day readiness exercise “to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across” the region. 

Trump previously threatened to intervene in Iran after massive anti-government protests broke out across the country. 

“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump posted on Truth Social on January 2. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Thousands of people have reportedly been killed in Iran during the weeks of protesting, with some estimates placing the death count as high as 30,000.