President Donald Trump warned Iran Jan. 28 that a “massive Armada” of U.S. military forces is en route toward the country and urged officials to return to negotiations for a new nuclear agreement or risk military action.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that “it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

He reiterated U.S. demands that Iran permanently renounce nuclear weapons and warned of consequences if negotiations fail, referencing the June 2025 U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, known as “Operation Midnight Hammer.” 

“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,” he said. “The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”

As CatholicVote previously reported, the U.S. on June 21 struck three Iranian nuclear sites following Israeli-led lethal strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear weapons development programs. Addressing the nation after the strikes, Trump called the operation a “spectacular military success,” saying the goal was to put “a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.” He said the nation’s facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.”

Iran swiftly responded to Trump’s latest warnings. The Iranian mission to the United Nations said on X that Tehran “stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests” but would “defend itself and respond like never before” if attacked. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed that message, writing on X that the country’s armed forces were prepared to “immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea.” 

“The valuable lessons learned from the 12-Day War have enabled us to respond even more strongly, rapidly, and profoundly,” he added, referring to the conflict with Israel last summer. 

Trump has for weeks clashed with Iranian leaders, warning the U.S. could intervene if the Iranian regime kills anti-government protesters. Nationwide protests over economic collapse and calls for regime change in Iran began in Dec. 28, 2025, Zeale News previously reported. On Jan. 14, Trump suggested a pause on threats to strike, saying he had been told that the “killing in Iran is stopping.” 

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, confirmed deaths linked to the protests have reached 5,848, with an additional 17,091 deaths under investigation.

In a Jan. 26 interview with Axios, Trump said he thought Tehran “want[s] to make a deal,” adding that they had reached out on “numerous occasions.” According to U.S. officials cited by Axios, any potential agreement would require Iran to eliminate all enriched uranium, limit its long-range missile capabilities, end support for regional proxy forces, and halt independent uranium enrichment.