Iran says "not afraid of words" after Trump signals naval deployment

A senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has played down US statements about increased naval deployments to the region, saying Tehran is not intimidated by Washington’s rhetoric.

Ahmad Vahidi, the IRGC’s deputy commander-in-chief, said Iran was “not afraid of words,” arguing that recent remarks by US officials reflected “the depth of America’s internal problems,” Iran International reports.

Vahidi’s comments followed statements by US President Donald Trump, who said that “another armada” of American naval forces was moving toward Iran. Trump has simultaneously urged Tehran to reach a deal with Washington, amid heightened tensions over regional security and Iran’s nuclear program.

To note, US President Donald Trump said a large US naval force led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is moving toward Iran, warning Tehran that further military action could follow unless it agrees to a new deal ruling out nuclear weapons.

“A massive Armada is heading to Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, describing the deployment as “moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose.”

He said the fleet was larger than one previously sent to Venezuela and was “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

Trump urged Iran to resume negotiations, saying time was running out. “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,” he wrote. “Time is running out; it is truly of the essence.”

The US president also referenced what he called a previous military operation against Iran, warning of harsher consequences if diplomacy fails.

A US carrier strike group, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers, is now operating in the Indian Ocean amid regional tensions with Iran. The group is equipped with air-defence systems to protect the ships in the strike group.

Trump described the deployment as an “armada” warning Tehran against harming protesters or restarting its nuclear program. Trump emphasised that he hopes it will not be used but stressed the US is monitoring the situation closely.

By Vafa Guliyeva