Donald Trump has warned Iran that “time is running out” to make a deal, and that the “next attack” by US forces will be “far worse” than previous strikes.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President warned that a “massive armada” was on its way to the country in preparation for possible military action.
“Like with Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” he wrote.
Trump has been threatening intervention ever since protests erupted in the country last month, prompting a ruthless crackdown by the Tehran regime.
The armada is “moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose” and is larger than the one which was sent to Venezuela, he added.
The US president said he hopes Iran will come to the table for a “fair and equitable deal” to ensure it had “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS”.
“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!” he wrote.
On June 22 last year, the U.S. carried out a blitz attack on a trio of Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natan and Isfahan, its only military action during the twelve day war between Iran and Israel.
Trump’s threats of a renewed attack on Iran began after widespread protests erupted in late December across the country, with hundreds of thousands believed to have taken to the street to voice their discontent with the Iranian regime.
Sources told Axios on Tuesday that Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to strike Iran. He is expected to decide after holding more consultations this week, and being presented with more military options.
The source told the outlet that a diplomatic resolution was still possible, adding: “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”
Earlier this month, Trump initially warned the U.S. would carry out strikes on Iran if it did not stop killing protesters on the streets, and if it executed any of the thousands that were arrested during the unrest.
But the US president held off from ordering an attack after the protests largely abated following a regime crackdown which some estimates say killed tens of thousands of people.
On Monday, a U.S. aircraft carrier and several warships arrived in the Middle East, intensifying concerns that Trump may order a strike.
