Trump orders US warships toward Middle East amid tensions with Iran

The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, ordering a major naval force to move toward the Gulf region, according to US officials.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, currently deployed in the South China Sea, has been instructed to proceed urgently toward the Middle East, the officials said.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump said Washington is keeping Iran under close watch and that a “large military force” is heading toward the region. He stressed that the United States does not seek war but is deploying forces for security purposes and to be ready if necessary.

Trump, who had earlier signalled a softer military posture, renewed his tough rhetoric, claiming that US pressure had forced Iran to abandon plans to execute more than 800 protesters. Iranian authorities have denied any such plans.

According to Iran’s state media, at least 3,117 people have been killed since late December last year during anti-government protests, including civilians and members of the security forces.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of strong retaliation in an opinion article published in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. He said Iran would respond with full force if the United States launched an attack, adding that Tehran’s armed forces are fully prepared.

The United States says its increased military presence is aimed at deterring Iran from advancing its nuclear programme. Iran, however, has warned that any full-scale conflict would be devastating and far longer than Israel and its allies might anticipate.

Source: Al Jazeera