Post by : Meena Ariff

The US president has issued a strong warning to Iran, saying "time is running out" to reach a deal on its nuclear program amid a large buildup of American military forces in the Gulf region.

Donald Trump described a "massive armada" moving swiftly with power and purpose toward Iran, referring to a significant US naval fleet led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. This force is prepared to act quickly and forcefully if needed.

In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran’s armed forces remain ready “with fingers on the trigger” to respond immediately and strongly to any acts of aggression by land or sea. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and denies US accusations of seeking nuclear weapons.

Trump’s warning comes after the harsh crackdown on protests in Iran, which began due to the sharp decline of the Iranian currency and escalated into a challenge against the country’s leadership. Trump promised US help to those affected, saying “Help is on the way,” although he later said executions of protesters had reportedly stopped.

Human rights groups estimate thousands of deaths since the unrest began, with some reports suggesting the toll could exceed 25,000.

Focusing on Iran’s nuclear program, Trump urged Tehran to "Come to the Table" for a fair deal with "NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS." He warned that any future US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites would be "far worse" than previous ones.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate that the Iranian regime is weaker than ever, struggling with an economic collapse and unable to address protesters' demands. He added that US forces are positioned to defend against any Iranian threats in the region.

Iran’s officials reiterated their willingness to negotiate a fair nuclear deal without coercion but emphasized their right to peaceful nuclear technology. They denied ever seeking nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, satellite images and open-source data show increased US military presence in the Middle East. Fighter jets have arrived in Jordan, new air defenses are installed in Qatar, and multiple naval ships remain docked in Bahrain. US drones and spy planes operate near Iranian airspace.

Iran has also deployed its drone carrier ship IRIS Shahid Bagheri near its coast, signaling readiness to respond.

Since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has breached uranium enrichment limits, increasing tensions. The last US action against Iranian nuclear sites was a targeted operation last June, which Washington said delayed Iran’s nuclear weapon capabilities. Iran claimed the attack had limited impact.

In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar, which Trump dismissed as "very weak" and expected.

The situation remains tense as both sides posture militarily and diplomatically, with the world watching closely whether Iran will agree to renewed negotiations or face intensified pressure.

#Global News