Donald Trump threatens direct attack on Iran as he issues ultimatum with 'massive Armada on its way'

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, the US President warned "time is running out", as he pressured Tehran to "come to the table".

"A massive Armada is heading to Iran," Mr Trump wrote. "It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose.

"It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.

"Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.

"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.

"Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again."

However, Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said there has been no recent negotiations with United States special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

"There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us," Mr Araghchi told state media.

He did add, though, that various intermediaries had been "holding consultations" and were in contact with Tehran.

"Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands," he said.

Tensions began to rise between the two nations after President Trump repeatedly threatened to strike Iran should they fail to stop the deaths of protesters in the country. He has also been firm in halting Iran's nuclear program.

The Ayatollah responded firmly, saying they would retaliate any US strikes with their own.

Last week, President Trump threatened the "massive Armada" of American ships could be on the way to the region, but added: "maybe we won't have to use it."

With Washington indicating they are considering strikes on the region, Iran President, Masoud Pezeshkian, said the threats were "aimed at disrupting the security of the region, and will achieve nothing other than instability," in a call with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman yesterday.

"The President pointed to recent pressures and hostilities against Iran, including economic pressure and external interference, stating that such actions had failed to undermine the resilience and awareness of the Iranian people," a statement from Mr Pezeshkian's office said.

However, Iran's regime has diminished over the course of the last 12 months.

US strikes on nuclear facilities and the 12-Day War with Israel coupled with violent and intense protests throughout the country have grappled much of the nation's military power.

The US President is also said to have received intelligence on Monday the Iranian government's power was at the weakest since the 1979 revolution and subsequent overthrow of the Shah, according to The New York Times.

Protests in the Islamic Republic broke out on December 28 as small demonstrations in Tehran's Grand Bazaar over economic difficulties before rapidly spreading across the country.

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