President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to Iran on Thursday, declaring that the United States is closely monitoring the regime as a “big force,” including a major naval armada, moves toward the region amid escalating unrest and nuclear concerns.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump made clear that Tehran is firmly on Washington’s radar.
“We’re watching Iran,” the president said.
“We have a big flotilla going in that direction.
“We’ll see what happens.
“We have a big force going toward Iran.
“I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”
The remarks come as the U.S. military significantly increases its posture in the Middle East.
Recent movements include the arrival of U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles in Jordan and the westward transit of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, now moving from the South China Sea toward the Persian Gulf.
The strike group is equipped with destroyers, F-35 stealth fighters, and advanced electronic-warfare aircraft.
Trump acknowledged that the military buildup could lead to action if necessary, but emphasized that deterrence remains the goal.
“Maybe we won’t have to use it,” he said. “We’ll see.”
The president also reiterated that his direct intervention stopped hundreds of executions ordered by the Iranian regime following violent protests.
“I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday,” Trump said, describing Iran’s tactics as brutal and antiquated.
“They would’ve been dead — everybody would’ve been hung.
“This is an ancient culture,” he noted.
“I said if you hang those people, you’re going to get hit harder than you’ve ever been hit.
“It’ll make what we did to your Iran nuclear deal look like peanuts.”
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Tensions in the Gulf have continued to rise as the administration positions additional military assets in the region.
Asked earlier by CNBC whether the buildup signaled imminent action, Trump remained guarded.
“Well, we hope there’s not going to be further action,” he said.
“But they’re shooting people indiscriminately in the streets.”
Trump also highlighted U.S. military capabilities, pointing to a previous strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, which he said involved B-2 stealth bombers operating undetected.
“We hit them hard — the B-2 bombers,” Trump said.
“Totally undetectable… every single one of those bombs hit its targets and just obliterated the place.”
While early intelligence assessments suggest Iran’s nuclear program was set back by months rather than fully destroyed, Trump underscored that his red line remains unchanged.
“If they continue with nuclear activity, it’s going to happen again,” he warned.
When CNBC’s Joe Kernen noted that Democrats criticized Trump’s Iran actions regardless of the outcome, the president dismissed the attacks.
“They’re sick people,” Trump said.
“We call it Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Meanwhile, Iran has responded with its own threats.
Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any move against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would provoke severe retaliation.
“Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also set fire to their world,” Shekarchi said.
Trump closed by signaling that developments with Iran are far from over.
“Stay tuned,” he said.
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