WWIII
US President Donald Trump warned Iran on January 28 that a "massive armada" is heading to the country and urged Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal, threatening military action if diplomacy fails.
"A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on January 28.
The fleet, headed by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, is larger than the one Trump sent to Venezuela, according to the president. "Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary," Trump said.
Trump called on Iran to "Come to the Table" and negotiate a fair and equitable deal on nuclear weapons that is "good for all parties", warning that "time is running out, it is truly of the essence".
The president referenced a previous military operation against Iran. "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," Trump said.
The warning follows several weeks of deadly mass protests in Iran. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said on January 27 that more than 6,000 people were killed in demonstrations across the country, including the capital Tehran.
The group verifies each death with a network of activists on the ground in Iran and its data goes through "multiple internal checks". Iran's government put the official death toll at 3,117 last week. IntelliNews could not independently verify either figure.
Following Trump's message, Iran said it is ready for dialogue with the US based on mutual respect and interests, but will defend itself and respond "like never before" if pushed, Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations said on January 28.
"Last time the U.S. blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7trn 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!" the mission said in a post on X on January 28.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on January 28 to discuss efforts to reduce tensions following recent developments in the region, Turkish state broadcaster state broadcaster TRT reported, citing a source at Turkey's Foreign Ministry.
Fidan previously said during the current tensions created by the United States and Israel in the region that attacking Iran would not be the right action.
"Tehran is ready for renewed negotiations and I advise Washington to resolve its issues with Iran step by step," Fidan said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
The US has been building up its military in the region following the deadly clashes between government forces and the people.
Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear deal with Iran during his first term in office in 2018, three years after Iran agreed to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons and allow international checks on its facilities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Last updated 14:52 GMT
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