The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group of the United States Navy is currently in the Arabian Sea near Iran, and the Trump administration has dispatched a second carrier strike group to the Middle East. On Friday, February 13, President Trump once again warned that Iran has been all talk, suggesting that regime change in Iran would be the best option.
Despite ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, there have been no breakthroughs. Iranian authorities have occasionally threatened to attack US military bases, while the US military’s deterrence efforts continue to escalate.
On Friday evening, before boarding Air Force One, reporters asked the President, “What should Iran do to avoid being targeted by the US?” Trump responded by saying that Iran should offer the US a deal that should have been on the table from the beginning, so the US wouldn’t have to strike Iran.
“However, historically speaking, they have never done that. They say they want to talk, but so far, they’ve just talked and not taken any action,” the President said.
When asked if he hopes for a regime change in Iran, Trump replied, “That seems like the best outcome.” He declined to reveal who he would prefer to take over Iran but mentioned that there are “multiple choices.”
The President stated that for 47 years, Iran has been all talk and no action. “Meanwhile, we have lost many lives, legs have been blown off, arms have been blown off, faces have been blown up. This situation has been going on for far too long.”
Trump mentioned the US’s strong military presence in the Middle East and the deployment of additional military forces, with more carriers soon to be put into use. “So we’ll see what happens. If we could solve this problem once and for all, that would be great,” he said.
The President also emphasized that he will not accept Iran having nuclear enrichment capabilities.
The US hopes the nuclear negotiations with Iran will also cover issues such as ballistic missiles, Iran’s support for proxy forces, and the treatment of the Iranian people. Iran has expressed readiness to discuss limiting its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief but has ruled out linking the nuclear issue with missile concerns.
When asked what else could be targeted at Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump replied, “Dust.” He added, “If we really did it, that would be just the least of it in the overall scheme of things, but we might take everything else out.”
US officials stated on Friday that the Pentagon would deploy an aircraft carrier, thousands of troops, fighter jets, missile destroyers, and other firepower to the Middle East.
Earlier on Friday, Trump spoke at Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina. He told the US military that reaching an agreement with Iran in nuclear negotiations has been challenging. The US may need to make Iran fear in order to peacefully resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
When asked about the preparations for any potential continued military actions by the US, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, “President Trump is considering all options regarding the Iran issue.”
“He will listen to all sides on any issue, but the ultimate decision will be based on what is most advantageous for our country and national security,” Kelly said.
According to Reuters, US officials described the complex process of military asset movements. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will join the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.
The Ford is the newest and largest aircraft carrier in the US and in the world, previously conducting missions in the Caribbean Sea with its accompanying ships and participating in military operations in Venezuela earlier this year.
Earlier on Friday, when asked why the second carrier is heading to the Middle East, Trump stated, “In case we can’t make a deal, we need it… if needed, we will be ready.”