Is the US preparing for an attack on Iran? Trump says ‘armada’ heading towards Gulf

“We’re watching Iran,” Trump said, adding, “I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”

Why is the US moving military assets closer to Iran?

Trump has repeatedly kept military options open in recent months, particularly following Washington’s backing of Israel during last year’s 12-day conflict, which the US said was aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Addressing the WEF on Wednesday, Trump said the US had acted to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and claimed that Tehran now appeared open to talks.

“Can’t let that happen,” he said, adding, “And Iran does want to talk, and we’ll talk.”

Despite the naval deployment, US officials have suggested that the prospect of an immediate strike has receded in recent days, with both sides publicly signalling a preference for diplomacy over escalation, AFP reported.

Iran issues warnings but keeps door ajar for talks

Iran’s military leadership responded with sharp warnings while stopping short of ruling out dialogue.

Revolutionary Guards Commander General Mohammad Pakpour warned the US and Israel against what he described as “miscalculations”, saying Iranian forces were “more prepared than ever” and had their “finger on the trigger”, AFP reported.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and dear Iran are ready to carry out the orders of the supreme commander-in-chief,” he said in remarks broadcast on state television.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, head of Iran’s joint command headquarters, said that in the event of a US attack, “all US interests, bases and centres of influence” would become legitimate targets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington and Israel of attempting to exploit recent unrest inside Iran as “cowardly revenge” for what he described as setbacks during last year’s conflict.

Iran protests: Crackdown and disputed death toll

The rising tensions come against the backdrop of widespread protests that erupted in Iran in late December, posing one of the most serious challenges to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule in recent years. The protests have since subsided following a sweeping security crackdown.

Iranian authorities have said 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, distinguishing between those they described as “martyrs” — including security personnel and bystanders — and what they labelled US-backed “rioters”.

Rights groups, however, have disputed the official figures. Iran Human Rights has said it has verified at least 3,428 deaths, while the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented 4,902 deaths and more than 26,500 arrests.

“All the evidence gradually emerging from inside Iran shows that the real number of people killed in the protests is far higher than the official figure,” said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights.

Independent verification has been hampered by a nationwide internet shutdown that has now lasted more than two weeks, according to monitoring group NetBlocks.

What happens next?

While the movement of US naval forces has raised fears of escalation, Trump has repeatedly stressed that Washington is seeking deterrence rather than war.

“I’d rather not see anything happen,” he said, reiterating that the US remains prepared while continuing to monitor developments closely.

The standoff remains marked by fluctuating rhetoric, unresolved nuclear concerns and Iran’s internal instability, leaving the situation volatile — though with limited space still open for diplomacy.

(With AFP inputs)

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