On the 21st, U.S. President Trump stated in an interview with CNBC in Davos, Switzerland that Iran must stop developing nuclear weapons.
He hinted that if Iran does not stop its “nuclear testing,” the U.S. might take action.
When asked whether the U.S. deployment of more aircraft carriers and military power to the Gulf region was a precursor to further action, Trump said: “We hope there will be no further action.”
He also stated that Iran "has been conducting nuclear tests" and that one day they will understand they cannot do this—they cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
The U.S. has long accused Iran of the true purpose of its nuclear program being to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes.
Recently, unrest has broken out in Iran, causing casualties among civilians and law enforcement. Trump has repeatedly threatened military intervention in the Iranian situation in recent days.
According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. is deploying additional forces to the Middle East, including the USS Lincoln carrier strike group.
Israel Worried the U.S. May Strike Iran Soon
On the 21st, Israel's Haaretz quoted sources in the Israeli security establishment reporting that out of concern that U.S. President Trump might decide to launch an attack on Iran in the near future, possibly “within days,” Israel's defense authorities have raised their alert level in recent days.
The report said Israel's defense authorities are seriously assessing the likelihood of an imminent attack, and preparing the military “home front” and responses to various scenarios, including the possibility of missile attacks.
Senior Israeli military officials pointed out that if the U.S. launches an attack, Iran may draw Israel into the conflict by firing missiles at it. If Israel is hit by Iranian missile attacks, the Israeli military may airstrike targets inside Iran. Should the conflict escalate, Yemen’s “Houthi movement,” supported by Iran, is considered more likely to join the conflict and attack targets related to Israel than Hezbollah in Lebanon.