Trump warns Iran amid warship deployment, urges deal to avert attack

Washington (The Uttam Hindu) – US President Donald Trump has once again raised the specter of US military action against Iran. Recently, the US president warned Iran of an even more significant strike. In the latest development, Trump has stated that he plans to negotiate with Iran.

Meanwhile, Turkey has suggested Iran strike an oil deal with the United States to prevent any potential attack. The US President's statement comes at a time when he has deployed the deadly USS Abraham Lincoln to the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth has stated that the military will be prepared to implement whatever decision the US President makes.

Trump made this statement regarding Iran during a media interaction. However, there is currently no information regarding when, where, and how these talks will take place. Trump also did not specify who will lead the talks from Washington.

When asked by the media about talks with Tehran, Trump said, "Yes, I'm planning on that. We have a lot of very large, very powerful ships going to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn't have to use them."

A Turkish official says that talks between the US and Iran offer no guarantee that the threat of attack will be averted. Therefore, Iran should propose an oil deal to ease tensions between the two countries. Turkey has also expressed interest in mediating between the two countries.

Just a day earlier, US media reported that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group had entered the Indian Ocean and was moving closer to Iran. This could assist in any potential operations against Iran, whether it be supporting attacks or protecting regional allies from a potential Iranian retaliatory strike.

A US official said the US military is deploying air defense systems to the area, including additional Patriot batteries, to protect US forces there from a potential Iranian retaliatory strike. US media, citing multiple sources, reported that the US has also deployed one or more THAAD missile defense systems to the area.

US media, citing sources, reported that the US and Iran had been exchanging messages earlier this month, including through Omani diplomats and between Trump's foreign envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, about a possible meeting to prevent a US attack.