Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States is ‘watching’ and has an armada headed toward the region a week after violent protests that many believed would force Trump to strike Tehran.
Speaking on Air Force One on his way home from the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Trump reiterated that ‘we’re watching Iran.’
That includes military ships that are headed toward the region should they be needed.
‘We have a big flotilla going in that direction. We’ll see what happens. We have a big force going toward Iran,’ Trump said.
‘I’d rather not see anything happen but we’re watching them very closely.’
Recent military movements have seen U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles arrive in Jordan as part of a broader strategic buildup that includes the westward transit of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.
Currently moving from the South China Sea toward the Persian Gulf, this naval force is equipped with destroyers, F-35 stealth fighters and electronic-jamming aircraft.
He warned that the US forces, including ‘massive armada’ may have to act with strikes on Tehran but added ‘maybe we won’t have to use it, we’ll see.’
Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States is ‘watching’ and has an armada headed toward the region a week after violent protests that many believed would force Trump to strike Tehran
The Iranian government has remained on Trump’s mind since then, with the president hitting back after state television aired threats of assassinating him. Pictured: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Trump also continued his claims that he was personally responsible for the cancelation of over 800 executions of protesters by the Iranian government.
‘I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday, they would’ve been dead, everybody would’ve been hung,’ he said.
He described Iran’s tactics as ‘from a thousand years ago. This is an ancient culture.’
‘I said if you hang those people, you’re going to get hit harder than you’ve ever been hit. It’ll make what we did to your Iran nuclear deal look like peanuts,’ Trump added.
The claim comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the US has continued to move military assets, including carrier strike groups and jet fighters.
When CNBC pressed him earlier Thursday on whether the movement of these assets was a ‘prelude to further action,’ Trump remained coy.
‘Well, we hope there’s not going to be further action, but, you know, they’re shooting people indiscriminately in the streets,’ the president said, referencing the civil unrest and protests.
Trump also used the interview to boast about the U.S. military’s capabilities. He pointed out the strike on the Fordow nuclear facility, which he claimed utilized B–2 bombers to devastating effect.
Trump also continued his claims that he was personally responsible for the cancelation of over 800 executions of protesters by the Iranian government
Thousands of people gather in front of Tehran University, carrying banners and chanting slogans against the United States and Israel, as a funeral ceremony is being held for 100 security personnel who lost their lives during the protests
‘We hit them hard, the B–2 bombers,’ Trump said, noting that the U.S. has recently ordered 25 additional aircraft of that model.
‘They were unbelievable, those things, that they were totally undetectable… with no moon, in the dark of night, late in the evening, every single one of those bombs, and they’re giants, every single one of those bombs hit its targets and just obliterated the place.’
According to initial available intelligence assessments, the US severely damaged the Iranian program, setting it back by months rather than fully destroying it.
Kernen noted that Democrats had given the president ‘grief’ for his actions in Iran, suggesting that even if he ‘walked on water,’ critics would say he ‘can’t swim.’
‘It’s, look, they’re sick people. They really are,’ Trump responded. ‘They are, we call it Trump derangement syndrome.’
Trump ended the discussion by suggesting that the world should ‘stay tuned’ regarding further developments in Iran.
He made clear his red line would be nuclear activity in Iran, saying if the regime continues to experiment with the technology, ‘it’s going to happen again.’
Following Trump’s calls for the Iranian Supreme Leader to step down, Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that any hostile actions toward Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would face severe consequences.
‘Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand but also we will set fire to their world,’ Shekarchi said.
