President Donald Trump on Wednesday pressed Iran to “come to the table,” announcing the deployment of what he called a “massive armada” to the region and warning the ayatollah’s regime that a larger attack could follow if no deal is reached.
Trump said the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group are deploying as a direct warning to Tehran, as the U.S. ramps up its military posture.
“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. 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 wrote on TRUTH Social.
“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. 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! Don’t make that happen again,” he added.
Trump has also suggested Tehran is already signaling interest in talks as the buildup continues.
In a Monday interview with Axios, Trump said Iran had reached out repeatedly and wants negotiations. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” the president told the outlet.
U.S. officials cited by Axios said any potential agreement would require Tehran to remove all enriched uranium, cap its long-range missile stockpile, change its support for regional proxy forces, and stop independent uranium enrichment—terms Iranian leaders have not agreed to.
USS Abraham Lincoln entered CENTCOM waters on Monday
The U.S. military buildup comes amid widespread unrest inside Iran following protests that began Dec. 28.
More over at Fox News:
🚨 BREAKING: Trump pressures Iran to 'come to the table' as 'massive armada' led by USS Abraham Lincoln draws near pic.twitter.com/uhl7rkbP9t
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 28, 2026
TENSIONS RISING: USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group enters CENTCOM waters in Indian Ocean as Iran's Ayatollah reportedly goes underground amid escalating threats of drone attacks. https://t.co/BMFvcxSBok
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 26, 2026
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