President Donald Trump has warned Iran to “come to the table” as the United States moves a powerful naval strike group into the region, signaling that military action remains firmly on the table if Tehran refuses to negotiate.
On Wednesday, Trump confirmed the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group.
The president described the move as a direct message to Iran’s leadership and a demonstration of American resolve.
“A massive Armada is heading to Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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.
“Like with Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”
The president said diplomacy remains his preference but warned that Iran faces severe consequences if it refuses to negotiate.
“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 continued.
“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.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded within hours, invoking past U.S. conflicts while vowing to defend the regime if challenged.
“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,” the statement said.
“Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!”
In recent days, President Trump has suggested that Tehran is already feeling the pressure. In a Monday interview with Axios, Trump said Iran has been repeatedly reaching out as the U.S. military presence expands.
“They want to make a deal. I know so,” Trump said.
“They called on numerous occasions.
“They want to talk,” he added.
U.S. officials told Axios that any agreement would require Iran to dismantle its enriched uranium stockpile, curb its long-range missile program, scale back support for regional proxy forces, and end independent uranium enrichment, conditions Iranian leaders have so far rejected.
The USS Abraham Lincoln entered U.S. Central Command waters on Monday as part of the military buildup.
The show of force comes as Iran faces growing internal unrest.
Protests that erupted on December 28 have spread nationwide, prompting a violent crackdown by the regime.
BREAKING; IRAN Deploys its Drone Carrier Off Bandar Abbas as Spy Drones Shadow USS Abraham Lincoln!!
The Iranian drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri (also referred to as Shahid Bahman Bagheri) has indeed been spotted anchored approximately 5 km south of Bandar Abbas (often… pic.twitter.com/e5w2zDhWIH
— Global Surveillance (@Globalsurv) January 28, 2026
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 5,848 deaths linked to the unrest have been confirmed, with another 17,091 cases under investigation.
Meanwhile, Iran International has reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has retreated to a fortified underground facility as tensions escalate both domestically and abroad.
The Trump administration has made clear that while diplomacy remains an option, it will not hesitate to act if Iran continues to defy U.S. demands.
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