Despite his recent downplaying of the possibility of impending military action, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a US navy “armada” was moving toward the Gulf to maintain pressure on Iran.
Trump withdrew his threat to attack Iran for its lethal suppression of anti-government demonstrations last week after the White House announced that Tehran had stopped its planned executions of protesters.
However, the Republican president acknowledged on Thursday that military preparations are still ongoing. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was instructed to move from South China Sea drills to the Middle East, according to US media reports over the past week.We’re watching Iran, “Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he flew back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.”You are aware that we have numerous ships heading in that way, just in case. The president declared, “We have a large force approaching Iran.”
“I’d rather not see anything happen but we’re watching them very closely.”
He called the force “an armada” and “massive fleet,” but he also said that “maybe we won’t have to use it.”
Trump reaffirmed that 837 protester hangings had been prevented by his threat to use force against Tehran. Additionally, he affirmed that he was willing to communicate with Iran.
After Washington supported and joined Israel’s 12-day war in June aimed at undermining the Islamic republic’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Trump has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of new military action against Iran. Iranian authorities on Wednesday announced their first official toll from the protests, which seem to have subsided in recent days, saying 3,117 people were killed. Rights groups say the true number of dead could be far higher.
