US Ramps Up Military Presence Near Iran, Trump Hints at Deal

The United States is continuing to ramp up pressure on Iran in an effort to push Tehran toward a new deal.

US President Donald Trump says that another American “armada” is currently heading toward Iran, expressing hope that the move would encourage negotiations.

“There is another beautiful armada floating beautifully towards Iran right now,” Trump said during a speech. “I hope they make a deal.”

Following Iran’s crackdown on protests and the imposition of a nationwide internet blackout, Trump has sent mixed signals about possible US intervention—something some Iranian opposition figures believe is necessary to bring change.

“We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” Trump told Axios this week, referencing previous US military action that led to the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.

Trump also claimed that Iran has repeatedly reached out to Washington. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” he said.

Meanwhile, a US Navy strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in Middle Eastern waters, according to US Central Command, though its exact location was not disclosed.