CNN reported on the 28th that U.S. President Trump is "considering launching a new major strike against Iran."
The report, citing sources, pointed out that the options Trump is considering include airstrikes on Iranian leaders and security officials, as well as attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and government institutions, but no final decision has been made yet.
Since the deployment of the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in the region, Trump’s range of military options has expanded.
The report also quoted a U.S. official as saying that the U.S. military has been deploying air defense systems in the Middle East, including the Patriot air defense system, to protect American forces in the region from possible Iranian retaliation. In addition, the U.S. also plans to deploy one or more THAAD missile defense systems to the Middle East.
On the same day, Trump said on social media that a large fleet is heading toward Iran, ready to swiftly carry out its mission, and he hopes Iran can quickly come to the negotiating table.
He said that this fleet, led by the USS Lincoln, is even larger than the fleet that was sent to Venezuela. The fleet is ready, willing, and able to quickly fulfill its mission.
He expressed hope that Iran can quickly come to the negotiating table and negotiate an "agreement beneficial to all sides."
Trump pointed out that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons and called on Iran to "reach an agreement," noting that it was precisely because Iran failed to reach an agreement that the U.S. launched its strike against Iran last year.
He threatened, “The next strike will be even fiercer.”
U.S. Warships in the Middle East Increase to 10
With the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group arriving in the Middle East, the total number of U.S. warships in the region has increased to 10.
According to U.S. officials, there are currently 10 U.S. warships in the Middle East, including the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which is equipped with three destroyers and F-35C fighter jets.
In addition, there are six other U.S. warships carrying out missions in the region, including three destroyers and three littoral combat ships.
Iranian Armed Forces "Ready to Pull the Trigger at Any Time"
On the 28th, Iran's Foreign Minister Araqchi said that the Iranian armed forces are "ready to pull the trigger at any time" in response to acts of aggression against Iran.
He said on social media: “Our brave armed forces are on full alert—ready to pull the trigger at any time—to immediately respond forcefully to any act of aggression against our beloved land, air, or sea.”
He added: “The valuable lessons learned from the '12-Day War' enable us to respond even stronger, faster, and more thoroughly.”
Araqchi emphasized that Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, just, and equitable nuclear agreement based on equality and not subject to coercion, threats, or intimidation—an agreement that will ensure Iran's right to peacefully use nuclear technology. Iran guarantees it does not possess nuclear weapons and has never sought to acquire them.
If the U.S. Uses Force, Iran Will Strike “the Heart of Tel Aviv”
On the 28th, Shamkhani, political advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, posted on social media that if the U.S. takes any military action, Iran will immediately retaliate and strike the core region of Israel.
Shamkhani posted in multiple languages, including English and Hebrew, stating that the so-called U.S. “limited strikes” are an “illusion.” Iran will consider any U.S. military action as the start of war and will immediately carry out a comprehensive and unprecedented counterattack, targeting “the heart of Tel Aviv” and all parties supporting aggression.