President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is sending a "massive armada" to waters near Iran, amid growing tensions stemming from the crackdown on protests shaking the Persian nation.
"We have a significant force on the way to Iran, and we will see what happens. I'd prefer nothing occurs, but we are monitoring them very closely," stated the president to the press aboard Air Force One, in an audio clip released on X.
These remarks align with reports of U.S. Navy movements, including the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group to the Indian Ocean.
Trump reiterated that Washington has exerted pressure on Tehran due to its suppression of demonstrators and once again claimed that, through his administration's actions, hundreds of recent executions in Iran have been halted.
The president refrained from specifying whether the United States seeks a leadership change in the Islamic country but warned that his Administration will continue to keep a close watch on the situation.
U.S. Naval Movements and Iranian Relations
Why is the U.S. sending a fleet near Iran?
The U.S. is deploying a large naval force near Iran due to increasing tensions related to Iran's crackdown on protests.
What is the USS Abraham Lincoln's role?
The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is part of the U.S. naval strike group being deployed to the Indian Ocean as a show of force.
How has Trump addressed the situation in Iran?
Trump has claimed that his administration's pressure on Tehran has halted hundreds of executions and has not ruled out further actions.