US President Donald Trump has warned that a “massive armada” is on its way to Iran and would attack with “speed and violence” unless Tehran cuts a deal.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump drew comparisons with an operation that eventually led to the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but said the fleet deployed towards Iran was “larger” than the one sent to South America.
“Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” he wrote.
“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 warned that “time is running out” for the country, and referenced air strikes carried out against Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.
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“As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran,” he said.
“The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”
The US has been ramping up tensions with Iran in recent weeks.
Middle East Eye reported on Monday that Trump was considering precision strikes on “high-value” Iranian officials and commanders it deemed responsible for the deaths of protesters during anti-government demonstrations earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Israeli media have reported that Britain, along with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, would provide logistical and intelligence support to the US military in the event of an attack.
The UAE foreign ministry insisted on Monday that it will not let its airspace, territory or territorial waters be used for military action against Iran.
Tehran on Wednesday rejected negotiations with the US as long as its “threats” persisted.
While Iran indicated that a channel of communication had been opened with Washington, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that, in order to negotiate, the Americans would have to “cease the threats and excessive demands”.
“Conducting diplomacy while issuing military threats can be neither effective nor useful,” he said.
Araghchi added that he had had “no contact” with US envoy Steve Witkoff and that Tehran had “not sought to negotiate”.
