Trump to Iran: ‘Time is Running Out’

Financial Times: Donald Trump has warned Iran that “time is running out” to reach a deal to avert US military action as he said a fleet of ships was ready to undertake a mission he compared to Washington’s operation in Venezuela. Writing on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, the US president reiterated that a “massive Armada is heading to Iran”, adding that “it is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose”. He also warned that any attack would be greater than the US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in June. “Like with Venezuela, [the fleet] is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” Trump wrote, in a reference to this month’s US capture of strongman Nicolás Maduro. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” the president added. “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse!” (Financial Times).

U.S. warplanes move closer to the Middle East

Radar‑jamming jets and refueling aircraft are crossing the Atlantic, stopping in Spain before heading east, a classic staging move.

It looks like Washington is quietly lining up the board in case Iran becomes the next… pic.twitter.com/xmDqfjrx1O

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 29, 2026

The past 12 hours have seen very significant U.S. Air Force movement indicating an operation against Iran has likely been approved:

After a day layover, GOLD flight of KC-46A tankers are now dragging 6x EA-18G Growlers to Spain, where they will likely continue on to Qatar. pic.twitter.com/pdFBh5aryD

— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) January 29, 2026

That is a significantly more aggressive posture than Trump has displayed in the weeks since his red line on shooting protesters. Trump initially planned a military response, but changed his mind when his advisers could not provide one that would prove “decisive” to the fate of the regime. Since then, Trump has offered Iran talks about their nuclear-weapons programs and oppression, but Trump has not gotten the response he desired, at least to this point. Most of Iran’s responses have been bellicose in nature, threatening to defeat the US in any war…. Tick. Tock. If action comes, it will likely be before the start of next week. Trump likes weekends for these kinds of actions, but since that’s pretty well known now, perhaps we will see something happen sooner rather than later.  (Hot Air).