Trump Warns 'Massive Armada' Heading To Iran: 'Time Is Running Out'

Donald Trump has announced “a massive armada is heading to Iran” as he warns Tehran that “time is running out” to make a deal.

Iran has been rocked by anti-government protesters opposing the Islamic State in recent weeks, leading to a brutal crackdown and near-complete internet blackout.

More than 6,000 people have been killed, according to human rights organisations, following the most serious uprising since Iran’s 1979 revolution.

The NGO, Norway-based Iran Human Rights, warned the violent response from the government could mean deaths exceed 25,000.

Trump already threatened to intervene on behalf of the protesters two weeks ago, saying “help is on its way” and that the authorities will “pay a big price”.

While he then went very quiet on the topic, he piped up again on Wednesday.

“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm and purpose,” he wrote in a TruthSocial post.

“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 unexpectedly sent troops into Venezuela at the start of the year and kidnapped president Nicolas Maduro.

The president insisted the US will now “run the country until such a time as we can do a safe and proper and judicious transition” – although warned his government is “not afraid of boots on the ground”.

Venezuela’s vice-president Delcy Rodriguez has stepped in to act as interim leader in the short-term.

Trump has now claimed in his new TruthSocial post: “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.”

“Midnight Hammer” refers to the June 2025 attacks, where the US Air Force and Navy targeted three nuclear facilities in Iran.

Iran announced in October that it was no longer bound by the international deal meant to prevent the spread of atomic weapons.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the US president’s outburst saying there had been no contact with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days, or requests for negotiations.

He said: “Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place whee there are no longer menaces and excessive demands.”

Iran’s UN mission hit back at the post online, writing on X: “Last time the US blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion 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!”