U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on Wednesday to reach a deal, warning that the next strike would be “much harsher” if no agreement is reached. He emphasized that time is running out for Tehran to avoid U.S. military intervention, while Iran rejected negotiations under what it described as a threatening environment.
اضافة اعلان
Trump stated that “the massive fleet heading toward Iran is ready, capable, and prepared to act quickly and decisively if necessary.” He did not rule out a future attack on Iran following the suppression of recent protests, recalling the 12-day conflict in June between Iran and Israel, in which the U.S. participated.
Posting on his “Truth Social” platform, Trump urged Tehran to “sit at the negotiating table quickly” to reach a “fair and just agreement without nuclear weapons,” warning of the consequences of delay. He also referenced the June military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, stating: “The next attack will be much worse,” signaling the possibility of repeated action if Iran does not comply.
Trump confirmed that additional U.S. forces are en route to the region, alongside a carrier strike group operating in Middle Eastern waters, without specifying its location. The U.S. Central Command announced the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in its operational area, sending a direct deterrent message to Tehran.
Iran’s Response
Iran has repeatedly rejected negotiations under threat. Ali Shamkhani, advisor to the Supreme Leader for political affairs, said that there is no such thing as a “limited strike,” warning that any U.S. military action “from any basis or level” would be the start of a war and would be met with an “immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented response,” targeting aggressors and allies alike.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that Iran’s armed forces are “fully prepared, fingers on the trigger,” to respond to any aggression by land, air, or sea. He stressed that lessons from the “12-day war” strengthened Iran’s ability to respond more effectively, rapidly, and decisively. At the same time, Araqchi reiterated Iran’s openness to a “fair, mutually beneficial nuclear agreement” based on equality and free of coercion.
Araqchi also stated that no recent contact has taken place with U.S. envoy Steve Whitcraft, emphasizing that negotiations must occur on a basis of mutual respect, free from threats or excessive demands.
Military Preparedness and Deterrence
Senior Iranian military officials stressed the country’s robust defensive capabilities:
General Ahmad Vahidi, deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guard, highlighted that Iran’s military advancements make any strike “high-cost and risky” for the U.S. and Israel, raising the stakes and complicating enemy calculations.
Admiral Habibollah Sayari, deputy commander of the Iranian Army, warned that U.S. carrier deployments will incur “serious and heavy damages” if used as a prelude to attack, emphasizing Iran’s readiness to impose a high cost on any aggressor.
The IRGC Navy showcased hundreds of long-range cruise missiles and an advanced underwater tunnel network, capable of countering U.S. carriers in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Iran claims full control over the air, surface, and sub-surface of the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining real-time monitoring of maritime movements.
Iranian military statements emphasize that deterrence is based on operational capability, not showmanship, aiming to prevent war by increasing the cost of military action for adversaries. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s directives seek to ensure potential opponents “hesitate even to think of threatening Iran,” achieved through cumulative scientific and technological deterrence.
Protest Suppression and Human Rights
Activists report that at least 6,221 people have died in recent nationwide protests, with more than 42,300 arrests. These protests began on December 28 following the collapse of the Iranian rial. While U.S.-based human rights organizations report high casualty figures, Iranian official sources cite 3,117 deaths, highlighting the difficulty of independent verification due to internet blackouts and restricted communications.
Meanwhile, Iran executed Hamid Reza Thabet, convicted of spying for Israel, marking the 13th such execution since the June conflict. Human rights groups have warned of the risk of expanded executions targeting protesters and detainees.
The situation underscores rising regional tensions, with U.S. military presence in the Middle East and Iran’s declared readiness to respond decisively to any attack.
