WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM: Regional tensions have intensified dramatically as US President Donald Trump confirmed a naval fleet is advancing toward Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his rejection of Palestinian statehood, setting the stage for potential confrontation across the Middle East.
Speaking at a ceremony in Iowa, President Trump announced that a significant naval presence is moving toward Iranian waters, expressing hope that Tehran would agree to negotiations.
"I hope Iran will make a deal with us," Trump stated, while simultaneously launching his midterm election campaign. The president claimed that in June, US forces eliminated Iran's nuclear capability through military operations that he said resulted in no civilian casualties.
Trump's remarks came as the United States deployed the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East and announced a major multi-day Air Force exercise in the region. The US military described the exercise as demonstrating America's ability to "deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower" across the region, though no specific dates or locations were disclosed.
The American president told Axios news site that Washington has "a big armada next to Iran" but maintained that diplomatic talks remain viable.
"They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions," Trump insisted.
He also took the opportunity to tout economic achievements, claiming America's economy has stabilized after what he called "historic inflation" a year ago, with investment volumes reaching $18 trillion.
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu issued his own forceful statements, declaring that Israel would never allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza.
"It hasn't happened and it will not happen," Netanyahusaid during a televised press conference, taking credit for having "repeatedly blocked" the implementation of a two-state solution.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would maintain security control "from the Jordan River to the sea," including Gaza. He stated that no reconstruction would occur in Gaza until Hamas is disarmed and the territory is demilitarized of weapons and tunnels. "It will be done the easy way, or it will be done the hard way. But in any case, it will happen," the Israeli leader warned.
The prime minister also addressed the Iranian situation, stating that while Trump would make his own decisions, Israel would act independently.
"If Iran makes the grave mistake of attacking Israel, we will respond with a force that Iran has never seen," Netanyahu threatened, referencing the 12-day war with Iran last June that saw Israeli strikes on military targets and the killing of senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned what he called US "threats" during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pezeshkian argued these threats were "aimed at disrupting the security of the region," highlighting Tehran's growing alarm at the American military buildup.
In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to respecting Iran's sovereignty.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Crown Prince made clear that Saudi Arabia rejects the use of its airspace or territory for any military actions against Iran, regardless of the source or direction of such attacks.
He stressed Saudi support for resolving disputes through dialogue to enhance regional security and stability.
The escalating crisis has its roots in Iran's deadly anti-government protests that began in late December.
Trump had repeatedly warned Tehran of military intervention if protesters were killed and encouraged Iranians to overthrow state institutions, declaring "help is on the way." However, he pulled back from ordering strikes earlier this month, claiming Tehran had halted more than 800 executions under American pressure.
As the naval armada approaches Iranian waters and military exercises commence, the international community watches anxiously to see whether diplomacy can prevail over the threat of another Middle Eastern conflict.
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