- Donald Trump says a “massive armada” of US ships is heading to Iran, warning Tehran that it must come to the table to negotiate a nuclear deal or risk further attack
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says the country’s armed forces have “their fingers on the trigger to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression”.
In a post on social media, Araghchi claims the country has learned “valuable lessons” from the 12-day war last June.
But, in a slightly softer tone, he claims Iran would welcome a nuclear deal that is “mutually beneficial, fair and equitable.”
It comes after an adviser to the Iranian supreme leader repeated the threat that any US strike on the country would mean “the beginning of a war.”
Ali Shamkhani posted on X, saying: “A limited strike is an illusion. Any military action by the United States, from any location and at any level, will be considered the beginning of a war, and the response will be immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented – targeting the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor.”
It marks the latest threat from Tehran towards the US, seemingly hoping to stave off any action.
An Iranian official told Reuters news agency last week that any attack on the country would mean “all-out war.”
This is just as Donald Trump says a “massive armada” is heading to Iran and is ready to “fulfil its mission with speed and violence if necessary”.
He says Iran should come to the table and negotiate a “fair and equitable deal” that stops them from having nuclear weapons.
“Time is running out, it is truly of the essence,” he says, adding that the next US attack on Iran – following its strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities last June – “will be far worse.”
