‘Time is running out’: Trump threatens Iran with massive armada, cites US military’s Venezuela operation

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, US President Donald Trump has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, claiming that a “massive Armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is moving rapidly towards the region and could strike with “speed and violence” if Tehran refuses to negotiate over its nuclear programme.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump directly compared the looming deployment to a recent US military operation against Venezuela earlier this month, suggesting that Iran could face a similar — or even more devastating — response if it does not agree to what he described as a “fair and equitable deal” banning nuclear weapons.

“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose,” Trump wrote. “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.”

Trump also issued a blunt ultimatum, warning Tehran that “time is running out” and urging Iranian leaders to return to the negotiating table. “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,” he said.

The US president further referenced what he called a previous American military action against Iran, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” claiming it caused “major destruction” and warning that any future strike would be “far worse.” “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t… The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again,” Trump added.

Iran responded sharply to the threat. Its mission to the United Nations issued a statement highlighting the economic and human costs of past US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, warning Washington against repeating what it described as historic mistakes. “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 read. While reiterating Iran’s openness to dialogue based on “mutual respect,” the mission warned that Tehran would “defend itself and respond like never before” if provoked.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there had been no recent contact with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and denied seeking negotiations, according to state media reports.

Tensions have continued to rise since protests erupted in Iran last month, followed by a harsh crackdown by the clerical establishment led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump has repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons and previously claimed that US strikes in June had “obliterated” key elements of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Speculation of another US military action has intensified after confirmation that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered the region, signaling a significant escalation in Washington’s military posture toward Tehran.