RT: Trump threatens Iran with a "fleet" larger than the Venezuela campaign.

In an interview with Axios on January 26, President Donald Trump described the situation with Iran as being in a state of "constant flux." The White House occupant did not hesitate to reveal the scale of the US military presence in the region.

"We have a huge fleet right next to Iran. It's even bigger than the force we deployed in Venezuela," Trump declared.

This statement recalls a large-scale naval operation the US previously conducted in South America. According to military sources, the centerpiece of this deployment is the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed is currently operating in the Middle East.

In addition to the aircraft carrier, the Pentagon has also deployed squadrons of F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and advanced air defense systems to the region. Prior to this, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited Israel on January 24th to discuss coordinated military plans.

This move comes amid reports that Trump had considered ordering attacks on targets in Iran in early January in response to escalating violence, but later postponed the decision.

Faced with military pressure from Washington, Iran has responded strongly. General Mohammad Pakpour of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning last weekend.

Pakpour asserted that the IRGC forces are "more ready than ever, fingers on the trigger" to defend the country, and vowed to inflict "painful" consequences on any act of aggression from the US or Israel.

Tehran has also accused Washington and Tel Aviv of instigating the recent wave of violence in the country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that more than 3,000 people have been killed in the violent protests that erupted since the end of December 2025.

Despite military deterrence, President Trump has kept the door open for diplomacy. "They (Iran) have called many times. They want to talk," Trump asserted in the interview.

However, observers note that the US administration is internally divided. While some hardline officials want to enforce a "red line" to punish Tehran, others are skeptical about the strategic effectiveness of the airstrikes.

Washington has long pushed for a deal that would force Iran to completely eliminate enriched uranium, limit its missile arsenal, and cease supporting proxy forces in the region – conditions that Tehran has so far steadfastly refused.