January 28, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a “massive armada” of American naval forces — led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is moving toward Iran’s region, warning Tehran that its time to negotiate a deal over its nuclear programme is “running out” and that failure to do so could lead to military action that would be “far worse” than past attacks.
Trump’s comments were posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, where he described the fleet’s movement as swift and powerful, and larger than a previous deployment sent toward Venezuela. He said the armada is “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”
In the message, Trump urged Iranian authorities to “come to the table” and negotiate a nuclear agreement that would bar nuclear weapons development, adding that “time is running out” and that another U.S. military response could be significantly more forceful than a previous campaign — referred to in his statement as “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
The fleet’s movement follows the recent arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group into the Middle East, which U.S. military officials said is intended to “promote regional security and stability.” Trump also framed his warning in the context of recent internal unrest in Iran during a nationwide protest movement.
Iran’s Response and Diplomatic Context
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and other officials have rejected the idea that Tehran has asked for talks with the United States, saying there has been no recent contact with U.S. special envoys and that negotiations cannot happen amid threats and coercion. Araqchi emphasised that diplomacy should not take place “in an atmosphere of threats,” though he acknowledged some indirect consultations through intermediaries.
Iran’s government and its mission to the United Nations also responded to Trump’s warning by asserting that the country is willing to engage in dialogue “based on mutual respect and interests,” but it warned that if pushed, Iran will defend itself forcefully.