US Aircraft Carrier Enters Middle East Waters, Raising Fears of Possible Strike on Iran

The entry of a US aircraft carrier and its strike group into Middle Eastern waters has significantly heightened fears of a possible American military strike against Iran.

Amid growing concerns over a US attack, President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is seeking talks. Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said he believes Iran is currently interested in negotiations, even as Tehran has warned it would respond forcefully to any form of attack.

Washington has not ruled out military intervention following Iran’s recent crackdown on protests that began in late December. International human rights organizations claim that nearly 6,000 people have been killed during more than two weeks of protest-related violence in Iran.

On Tuesday, the US Central Command said that a strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln has now arrived in Middle Eastern waters, though its exact location was not disclosed.

Since Iran launched a nationwide security operation earlier this month and completely shut down internet services, Trump’s statements on possible intervention have sent mixed signals. Iranian opposition groups have argued that only external intervention can bring change to the country’s ruling establishment.

In an interview, Trump said, “We have a large naval force near Iran—bigger than what we had near Venezuela.”

Several weeks ago, US forces carried out an operation that resulted in the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump further stated, “Iran wants to make a deal. I know that. They’ve called many times. They want to talk.”

According to Axios, Trump declined to discuss which options presented by his national security team he prefers. Analysts say Washington’s potential options include strikes on Iranian military installations or targeted attacks against the regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Such actions could amount to a full-scale effort to dismantle the system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Trump has received multiple US intelligence assessments indicating that the Iranian government is weakening and is currently in its most fragile position since the fall of the Shah.

US Senator Lindsey Graham said he has spoken with Trump multiple times in recent days regarding Iran. He claimed that Washington’s sole objective is now the end of the Iranian regime.

“They may stop killing today, but if they remain in power, they will kill again next month,” Graham said.

In recent days, Iranian officials have also signaled a desire to avoid further escalation. Tehran has previously stated that despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, a communication channel remains open between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

However, on Tuesday, Iran’s conservative daily Hamshahri quoted Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Mohammad Ali Naini as saying that even if a US aircraft carrier were to mistakenly enter Iran’s territorial waters, it would be targeted.

Another Iranian daily, Javan, reported that Iran is prepared for a major response and, if necessary, would seize control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy supply route.