Iran Suddenly Wants to Strike a Deal After ‘Big Armada’ Arrives: Trump
President Donald Trump says Iran has reached out to seek negotiations as U.S. military forces position nearer to the country following a brutal government crackdown on recent anti‑government protests. The protests were forcibly dispersed; unofficial Iranian accounts cited by some outlets put the death toll far higher than Tehran’s official figure (which the government says is 3,117). Human rights groups report several thousand deaths and thousands of incidents under examination.
Trump and U.S. officials say the administration considered military action and has moved assets—including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional F‑15E aircraft and missile‑defense systems—into the region to increase options and pressure Tehran. Trump claims his prior warnings helped prevent mass executions of detainees.
U.S. officials say Iran has been offered terms repeatedly over the past year: removing enriched uranium, a cap on long‑range missiles, an end to support for regional militias, and a ban on domestic uranium enrichment. A senior U.S.official indicated Trump is willing to discuss a deal if Iran accepts known terms.
Intelligence assessments cited by media suggest the Iranian government is at one of its weakest points since the 1979 revolution, with economic grievances fueling widespread disaffection. Republican lawmakers calling for tougher action argue the goal should be ending the regime.
As potential retribution lumbers closer to Iran, its leaders want to make a deal with the United States, according to President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, Iran put its foot down after weeks of anti-government protests and dispersed the demonstrators. Iranian officials have unofficially said that up to 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown, according to Time.
The government has officially admitted to killing 3,117 people, while a human rights group put the death toll at 5,459 deaths, with 17,031 incidents under investigation.
Prior to the crackdown, Trump had warned Iran not to commit a mass slaughter of protesters and has said his intervention prevented Iran from executing many of the thousands arrested.
Trump considered military action when the protests were suppressed, but did not act at the time. However, military assets were put in motion: the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is now in the Middle East region, giving Trump military options he did not have earlier in the month.
“We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” Trump said, according to Axios.
As the strike force inches closer, Iran is bending, Trump said.
“They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”
What Axios called a “senior U.S. official” said Trump is willing to discuss options.
“If they want to contact us and they know what the terms are, then we’re going to have the conversation,” the U.S. official said.
The official said Iran has had terms of a deal sent to them many times in the past year. The terms include taking enriched uranium out of Iran, a cap on Iran’s number of long-range missiles, an end to Iran’s backing of militias in the region, and a ban on enriching uranium in Iran.
Intelligence reports “signal that the Iranian government’s hold on power is at its weakest point since the shah was overthrown in the 1979 revolution,” according to The New York Times.
Widespread disaffection, rooted in economic issues, has weakened the government’s support.
“President Trump is consistently briefed on intelligence matters around the world,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “It would be a dereliction of duty as commander in chief if he were not regularly briefed on these matters. With respect to Iran, President Trump continues to closely monitor the situation.”
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he believes Trump will back up his December pledge to protesters that he would help them.
“The goal is to end the regime,” Graham said. “They may stop killing them today, but if they’re in charge next month, they’ll kill them then.”
The New York Times report noted that in addition to the carrier strike group, which includes ships equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, the military has sent additional F-15E aircraft to bolster offensive capabilities.
The U.S. has also increased missile defense assets in the region and networked with allies.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
