The threat of a US-Iran war appears closer as President Donald Trump warned Iran time was running out. He announced that a massive US naval armada, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, was rapidly moving toward Iran “with great power, enthusiasm and purpose.” Trump said the fleet was larger than the one sent near Venezuela recently and was "prepared to rapidly fulfill its missions with speed and violence if necessary." He urged Iran to “quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties.” Trump 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! Don’t make that happen again.” This is the clearest sign that Trump may soon launch a military strike if Iran refuses to negotiate on its nuclear program. European diplomats expect a crisis soon and note Israeli concern about possible Iranian retaliation. Trump wants Iran to limit both its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities. He has also called for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to leave the world stage, a demand Iran rejects. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he will not negotiate under threat but is open to talks without preconditions. Iran has communicated this to Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Recently, Iranian leaders spoke with diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. These Arab states are working to restart talks without forcing Iran to accept pre-set demands. They had helped delay a US attack three weeks ago, but now Trump seems more focused on a nuclear deal than punishing Iran for protests. Iran is wary of talks since last June when the US permitted Israel to strike Iranian nuclear sites and kill 1,000 people. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged the US to separate missile and regional militia demands from nuclear negotiations, warning Iran won’t respond if all demands are combined. Trump demands Iran stop uranium enrichment, allow UN inspectors, and hand over its uranium stockpile to a third party, likely Russia. Iran refuses to give up enrichment but may limit its stockpile. The June attack left Iran’s nuclear sites damaged, weakening Iran amid inflation and currency drops. With most Gulf states refusing US base access over fears of Iranian strikes, Iran vows to target only bases launching attacks against it, avoiding other countries. Iranian officials said they will “increase defence readiness to the highest level” but are open to negotiations without pre-set outcomes.