Donald Trump has maintained strict secrecy around his administration’s potential military response to Iran while confirming that major naval deployments are already underway. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump refused to confirm whether final decisions about military action had been made. “I certainly can’t tell you that,” the president said, though he acknowledged that the United States has sent “really big powerful ships heading in that direction,” signaling serious preparations for possible conflict.
At the core of the confrontation is Iran’s nuclear programme, which Western intelligence agencies believe is designed to produce nuclear weapons despite Iranian denials. Trump indicated that Washington has not abandoned diplomatic efforts, expressing hope for a negotiated outcome. “I hope to negotiate something that’s acceptable,” the president stated, outlining his vision of “a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons” as the ideal resolution.
The president’s current nuclear-focused approach represents a shift from his earlier threats connected to Iran’s domestic repression. Trump had warned of military consequences if Iranian forces killed protesters during widespread demonstrations that erupted in late December. Those protests reached their peak on January 8 and 9, and Iranian authorities have since acknowledged over 3,000 deaths during the unrest. However, Tehran claims most casualties were security personnel or bystanders killed by violent demonstrators rather than peaceful protesters.
Trump also addressed comments attributed to Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister regarding the strategic implications of US hesitation. The Saudi official reportedly suggested that backing away from military strikes would embolden Iran, but Trump offered a nuanced response. “Some people think that and some people don’t,” he said, acknowledging that strategic assessments vary within his administration and among regional allies.
Meanwhile, Tehran has launched its own messaging campaign in response to American threats. The Iranian capital has been covered with billboards and banners designed to rally public support and demonstrate defiance toward the United States. Among the most striking displays is a massive poster depicting an American aircraft carrier being destroyed, a graphic warning about the potential costs of military conflict. Despite this hostile posturing, Trump revealed that diplomatic communications are ongoing. “They’re talking to us, seriously talking to us,” he said of Iranian officials, while expressing doubt about whether these talks will ultimately succeed. The president’s skepticism about Iran’s willingness to abandon its nuclear ambitions means that military action remains a very real possibility alongside diplomatic efforts.