President Donald Trump announced that a significant number of US military forces are being deployed toward Iran, while emphasizing that he hopes the situation does not escalate into a full-scale conflict.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump confirmed that several key military elements have been sent to the Middle East, including a fighter group under the command of an aircraft carrier and other naval vessels, according to Reuters.
“We have many ships heading in that direction, just in case. We have a large fleet moving toward Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
The US leader stressed that war is not his first choice and expressed a preference for avoiding conflict, stating:
“I would like nothing to happen, but we are monitoring it very closely.”
Trump described the deployment as a warning measure and a demonstration of force, noting that he does not intend to use military action unless absolutely necessary.
Previously, Trump had repeatedly threatened intervention against Iran in response to recent protests and fatalities, though the protests have decreased in the past week and his rhetoric toward Iran has softened.
