US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a US “armada” was heading toward Iran and that he hoped Tehran would make a deal with Washington.
“There is another beautiful armada floating beautifully toward Iran right now,” Trump said in a speech. “I hope they make a deal.”
It was not immediately clear if Trump was referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships, which arrived in the Middle East on Monday, or other assets to boost the US’s available firepower and defensive capabilities in the region.
Trump has not ruled out military intervention against Iran over its crackdown on protests, which rights groups say killed thousands.
Tehran has previously said a channel of communication is open between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two foes.
However, on Wednesday Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that he had not been in contact with Witkoff in recent days, though intermediaries were holding consultations.
