President Donald Trump says a U.S. “armada” of warships is moving toward the Middle East as his administration watches Iran during nationwide protests and a deadly crackdown. The comments come as activists say the protest death toll has climbed above 5,000, while Iran’s government has issued a lower official figure.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. has “a lot of ships going that direction just in case,” adding that he hoped the fleet would not have to be used. He also said the United States is “watching them very closely,” describing the deployment as an option if he decides to take action.
Warships heading to the region
U.S. officials told Reuters that a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets are expected to deploy to the Middle East in the coming days. Reuters reported the move includes the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier as well as destroyers and fighter jets heading from the Asia-Pacific region amid rising tensions.
CBS News reported that defense officials said the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships were in the Indian Ocean as of Friday morning. CBS also reported the carrier strike group brings about 5,000 sailors and Marines and includes squadrons of fighter jets, helicopters, and electronic attack aircraft.
According to CBS, the Lincoln carrier strike group could arrive in the Middle East within the next few days. CBS reported it would join two destroyers, the USS McFaul and USS Mitscher, and three littoral combat ships.
Protest crackdown and disputed death toll
The Times of Israel reported that the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists’ News Agency said at least 5,002 people had been killed in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests. The same report said the group counted 4,716 demonstrators, 203 government-affiliated people, 43 children, and 40 civilians who were not taking part in protests.
NBC News also reported that the Human Rights Activists News Agency put the confirmed death toll at 5,002, including many under 18, and said around 200 of those killed were members of the security forces or affiliated with the government. NBC reported activists warned the real toll could be higher, citing a prolonged internet blackout that makes verification difficult.
Iran’s government has offered a different figure. NBC News reported Iranian officials released their first official death toll at 3,117, while the Times of Israel reported Iran said 3,117 were killed and described some of the dead as “terrorists.”
Blackout and arrests limit information
The Times of Israel reported Iran cut off access to the world through the internet on January 8, describing the blackout as crossing the two-week mark. The same report said the Associated Press could not independently assess the death toll because of the internet restrictions and blocked international calls, and said local journalists were reportedly limited in reporting.
The Times of Israel reported the Human Rights Activists’ News Agency said more than 26,800 people had been detained as arrests widened. NBC News reported a United Nations fact-finding mission said it had collected victim testimonies and other evidence despite the blackout and described alleged “gross human rights violations,” including arbitrary killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and coerced confessions.
Trump’s warnings and Iran’s pushback
The Times of Israel reported Trump publicly set two “red lines” tied to the protests: the killing of peaceful demonstrators and Iran carrying out mass executions. Trump said on Air Force One that the U.S. was moving an “armada” toward Iran “just in case” he wanted to take action, while also saying he would prefer nothing happen.
Trump claimed Iran had canceled planned executions after his threats, describing it as “a good sign.” NBC News reported Tehran dismissed Trump’s claim that his threats prevented the planned executions of more than 800 protesters, calling it “completely false.”
NBC News reported Trump told journalists he had warned of retaliation “like never before” if executions went forward, and said Iran canceled the plan shortly before it was to happen. NBC also reported Trump said, “I prevented 837 hangings,” claiming those people would have died, while Iran rejected his account.
How the rhetoric has shifted
Reuters reported that Trump’s tone on Iran had softened in recent days as protests dwindled, after he had repeatedly warned about possible intervention tied to the killings of protesters. Reuters also reported Trump said he hoped there would be no further U.S. military action in Iran, but that the U.S. would act if Tehran resumed its nuclear program.
CBS reported Trump had not fully ruled out action over Iran’s handling of the mass demonstrations, which CBS described as being driven by worsening economic conditions. NBC reported Iran has said it reestablished order after demonstrations that erupted late last year amid a declining currency and soaring prices.
