On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump called on Iran to sit down at the negotiating table and conclude an agreement on nuclear weapons, otherwise the next US attack will be much worse than the previous Operation Hammer of Midnight.
"Let's hope Iran quickly 'sits down at the negotiating table' and negotiates a fair and balanced deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is really urgent!" Trump wrote in a post on social media.
The White House chief, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement between world powers and Tehran during his first term, noted that his last warning to Iran was followed by a military strike in June.
"The next attack will be much worse! Don't let it happen again," Trump wrote. At the same time, he reiterated that a "huge army" is heading towards Iran, moving "fast, with great force, enthusiasm and determination."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi said on Wednesday, according to state media, that he had not been in contact with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days nor had he requested negotiations.
Trump said that a US naval group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is approaching Iran. Two US officials told Reuters on Monday that the ship and accompanying warships had arrived in the Middle East.
Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention if Iran continues to kill protesters, but nationwide protests against economic hardship and political repression have since subsided.
At the same time, he said that the United States would intervene if Tehran resumed its nuclear program after June's air strikes by Israeli and American forces on key nuclear facilities.
(reuters, luc)