US President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Iran on Wednesday, issuing a warning to Tehran over its nuclear program and threatening military action if negotiations fail. The warning comes against a backdrop of mounting regional strain and divergent positions on diplomacy and defence.

Trump said a large US naval force, described as a “massive armada” led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was moving toward Iran. He expressed urgency on Iran returning to the negotiating table and urged Tehran to reach an agreement that would bar nuclear weapons development. “Hopefully Iran will quickly come to the table and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - No nuclear weapons,” Trump wrote, warning that “time is running out” and that if Iran does not comply, the next attack “will be far worse” than prior strikes.