A US naval strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in Middle Eastern waters amid escalating tensions with Iran, as President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran still wants to engage in talks despite the mounting military pressure.
Speaking to the Axios news outlet, Trump said Iran was seeking dialogue even as Washington has not ruled out fresh military intervention. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” he said, while also underscoring the US military presence in the region. US Central Command confirmed the arrival of the carrier group but did not disclose its precise location.
The deployment comes against the backdrop of a severe crackdown on protests in Iran earlier this month, which was accompanied by a near-total internet blackout. Rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of using excessive force, describing the repression as among the deadliest in the country’s history. Washington has cited these developments while weighing its response, though Trump has sent mixed signals on the likelihood and scope of intervention.
Also Read: US Moves Carrier, F-15E Jets, Refuellers to West Asia Over Iran's Violent Protest Crackdown
US media reports suggest the administration is considering a range of options, including strikes on military facilities or more targeted actions aimed at Iran’s leadership. The New York Times reported that recent US intelligence assessments indicate the Iranian government’s grip on power may be weakening, describing the current moment as its most vulnerable since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Senator Lindsey Graham was quoted as saying the objective is to end the current regime.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, have issued stern warnings against any military escalation. Revolutionary Guards spokesman Mohammad Ali Naini said any violation of Iranian territorial waters by US forces would be met with a response, while conservative media outlets warned of potential retaliation, including the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Anti-US messaging has also appeared in Tehran, reflecting heightened domestic tensions.
Human rights organisations continue to raise alarms over the scale of the crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, though it said investigations are ongoing and verification remains difficult due to restricted access and communication blackouts. As military posturing intensifies, analysts warn that the situation remains highly volatile, with diplomacy struggling to keep pace with events on the ground.
Also Read: Trump Confirms US Ships Heading to Gulf "Watching Iran Closely"