Former US President Donald Trump has issued a direct military threat against Iran through his Truth Social platform, declaring that a substantial naval fleet is currently en route to the region. Trump emphasized the armada’s readiness to execute operations with maximum force unless Tehran agrees to negotiate a nuclear non-proliferation agreement.
Drawing parallels to previous military operations in Venezuela that ultimately resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, Trump characterized the current deployment as significantly larger and more capable. He explicitly warned that the military force stands prepared to fulfill its mission with unprecedented speed and violence if diplomatic efforts fail.
The former president referenced previous airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, known as ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ as precedent for potential military action. Trump asserted that any future offensive would substantially exceed previous operations in scale and destruction.
This escalation occurs amid reports that the Trump administration is considering precision strikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials allegedly connected to recent protester fatalities. While Israel media outlets suggest Britain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates might provide logistical support for potential operations, the UAE foreign ministry has explicitly denied permitting use of its territory or airspace for military actions against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by rejecting negotiations under current threat conditions, stating that productive diplomacy cannot coexist with military ultimatums. Despite acknowledging communication channels with Washington, Araghchi clarified that Tehran has not actively sought negotiations and maintains its position that the United States must cease threats and excessive demands before meaningful dialogue can occur.