Iran warn they have ‘finger on the trigger’ after Trump’s armada threat

Trump said the next attack will make the previous one “look like peanuts”

Foreign minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, said in response that Tehran’s armed forces were ready “with their fingers on the trigger” to “immediately and powerfully respond” to any aggression.

The US president said that a “massive armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was heading to Iran, adding that it was moving “quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose”.

Trump said his next attack will make last June’s bombing raid on Iranian nuclear sites “look like peanuts”, as he spoke aboard Air Force One.

Previously, Trump threatened to use force in response to the killing of peaceful demonstrators in Iran.

According to activists, at least 6,373 people have been killed so far in the demonstrations.

On Wednesday, Trump also signaled that he wants movement toward a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!”, he wrote on his platform, Truth Social.

Tehran’s mission to the United Nations was quick to respond to the Trump, posting on X that “Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!”

Meanwhile, it is Iran’s state-run media, which now only refers to protesters as “terrorists”, that remains the sole source of news for many in the country, as Tehran cut off access to the global internet three weeks ago.

And it is precisely on Iranian state TV where Trump was last threatened, with a direct warning that “this time, [the bullet] won’t miss”, referring to Trump's 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

Since the US drone strike of January 2020 that killed General Qassem Soleimani on Trump’s orders, Iranian officials and state media have repeatedly issued threats toward the American president.