Trump urges Iran to ‘come to the table’ as U.S. carrier groups move into region; Tehran vows to ‘respond like never before’
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear program, warning that any next U.S. response could be far harsher, as a carrier strike group enters the Middle East amid heightened tensions.
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“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” Trump wrote in a social media post. He added that his last warning to Tehran was followed by a military strike in June and repeated that a U.S. “armada” was heading toward the country.
Two U.S. officials said Monday that the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier and supporting warships had arrived in the Middle East after transiting from the Asia-Pacific region last week. The deployment follows weeks of unrest in Iran and an ensuing crackdown by clerical authorities.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded on social media that Tehran is “ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests — BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” The statement also referenced U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, saying Washington had “squandered over $7 trillion and lost more than 7,000 American lives.”
Trump, who withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers during his first term, has repeatedly threatened action if Iran resumes nuclear activities. He said the United States would act if Iran moved to restart its program following June airstrikes on key nuclear installations.
The U.S. push comes as rights groups and U.N. officials document heavy pressure on families of Iranians killed in recent protests over economic hardship and political repression. Amnesty International and other monitors say authorities have demanded large payments, restricted funerals and coerced relatives into falsely declaring the dead were security personnel.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, reported that the body of Hossein Mahmoudi, 36, who was shot by security forces on Jan. 8 in Falavarjan near Isfahan, was returned to his family more than a week later only after a payment equivalent to €2,400 and warnings not to speak publicly. The Hengaw rights group cited the case of Ali Taherkhani, 31, in Takestan northwest of Tehran, alleging his body was released only after his family paid the equivalent of €18,000 and removed condolence banners; the burial proceeded under heavy security with only four relatives present.
“Authorities have relentlessly and cruelly harassed and intimidated bereaved families of killed protesters,” Amnesty said, calling the measures a “systematic campaign of intimidation and coercion.” The U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, said she had received reports that families were being forced to claim the deceased were Basij militia members or to pay to retrieve bodies — “cruel practices that compound grief with extortion,” she said.
Iranian authorities have acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest and say most were security personnel or bystanders killed by “rioters.” Rights groups dispute that, alleging a higher toll — potentially in the tens of thousands — and saying many protesters were killed by direct fire from security forces. Activists also report that authorities have pushed families to hold nighttime burials under security supervision to prevent funerals from becoming protests; videos shared from Tehran’s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery on Jan. 11 showed mourners chanting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has warned he would intervene if Tehran continued killing protesters, though nationwide demonstrations have abated in recent days. The White House’s warnings, together with the USS Abraham Lincoln’s arrival, underscore the risk of miscalculation as both sides signal readiness — Washington to pressure Iran back to talks, and Tehran to answer force with force.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
