President Donald Trump said Thursday that a U.S. naval force, which he described as an “armada,” is heading toward Iran as part of efforts to deter Tehran amid ongoing unrest and concerns about its nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said the United States has “a lot of ships going that direction, just in case,” and emphasized that he hopes military force will not be necessary. Trump reiterated warnings to Iran over the killing of protesters and the potential resumption of its nuclear activities.
“We have a lot of ships going that direction just in case. We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the Davos summit in Switzerland. “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”
“We have an armada — we have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said, appearing to describe the deployment as a precautionary measure while closely watching developments in the region.
According to officials, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days to expand U.S. military options in the region. Additional air-defense systems are also being considered to protect U.S. forces and bases against possible retaliation.
The president’s comments come as tensions with Iran have grown amid a violent crackdown on nationwide protests and concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump has previously warned Iran of severe consequences if mass executions or program expansion occur.
The reported naval movement toward Iran has also influenced global markets, with oil prices rebounding following renewed concerns about potential conflicts disrupting supplies from the region.
Meanwhile, Trump said Thursday that negotiators have established a “framework of a future deal” regarding the strategic Arctic territory of Greenland and that more details will be released in about two weeks.
Trump, speaking from Washington after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have agreed on a preliminary framework with respect to Greenland and the broader Arctic region, though he did not provide specifics about the terms. He said further discussions will be conducted by senior U.S. officials and a detailed outline will be available within two weeks.
The announcement came after Trump withdrew his earlier threat to impose tariffs on several European countries that had opposed his push for greater U.S. involvement in Greenland, saying the new framework helped defuse tensions. Trump also reiterated that the United States would not use military force to take control of Greenland.
Trump described the emerging framework as long-term, saying it could endure “forever,” and linked it to U.S. interests in Arctic security and access to natural resources. He said that negotiators, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys, will continue working on the arrangement.
Key details of the proposed deal, including the role of Denmark and Greenland’s own government, remain unclear. Denmark and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly stated that the island’s sovereignty cannot be negotiated without their direct involvement, and Danish leaders have emphasized that control of Greenland remains a national red line.
Trump’s comments follow heightened international attention and protest over U.S. ambitions in the Arctic and reflect ongoing discussions about how the United States and its NATO allies might enhance Arctic security amid concerns about Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
