US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a US naval “armada” is moving toward the Gulf, signaling continued pressure on Iran despite his recent efforts to downplay the likelihood of immediate military action.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States is closely monitoring Tehran.
“We’re watching Iran,” he said. “We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case. We have a big force heading toward Iran.”
Trump described the deployment as a “massive fleet” but added that he hoped it would not be used. “I’d rather not see anything happen,” he said. “Maybe we won’t have to use it.”
Last week, Trump stepped back from earlier threats to strike Iran after the White House said Tehran had paused planned executions linked to its crackdown on anti-government protests. However, he confirmed that military preparations remain in place.
Tweet 1/3: The Naval "Noose"
The US has tightened its naval grip on the region. A full carrier strike group, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, is operating in the Persian Gulf. This presence, including stealth fighters, provides a massive, mobile strike capability right off… pic.twitter.com/Su8TdO8O8o
— Himanshu Jain (@HemanNamo) January 22, 2026Trump repeated his claim that earlier US pressure helped halt 837 planned executions. He also said he remains open to talks with Iran.
Iranian authorities on Wednesday released their first official death toll from the protests, saying 3,117 people had been killed. Rights groups argue the real number could be far higher.
US Assets Head to Middle East
Two US officials confirmed that a US aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days. The deployment includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with destroyers and fighter aircraft.
The warships began moving from the Asia-Pacific region last week as tensions rose following Iran’s crackdown on protests. One official said the US is also considering deploying additional air-defense systems.
Defense analysts note that such troop movements can be defensive. However, the US carried out a major military buildup last summer ahead of its June strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Trump Warns on Nuclear Programme
Trump has softened his rhetoric in recent days as protests in Iran have eased. He has shifted attention to other global issues but warned that US action would resume if Iran restarted its nuclear programme.
“They can’t do the nuclear,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC in Davos, referring to US strikes carried out in June 2025. “If they do it, it’s going to happen again.”
IAEA Seeks Iran’s Cooperation
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not verified Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium for more than seven months, despite guidelines calling for monthly checks.
The agency has asked Iran to submit a report on nuclear material believed to have been present at sites struck by the US. This includes an estimated 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels.
It remains unclear whether protests in Iran will resume. Demonstrations began on December 28 in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic hardship before spreading nationwide.
