US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran that any future attack would be “far worse” if the country refuses to negotiate a deal to abandon nuclear weapons.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States is sending a powerful naval armada to the region, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. He added that the force is “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

Call for Urgent Nuclear Talks

Trump urged Tehran to “come to the table” for what he described as a fair and balanced nuclear agreement. He stressed that time is running out and said the matter is “truly of the essence.”

“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!,” he wrote.

Reference to Past US Strike

The US president also referred to a previous American military operation, known as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” and warned Iran not to repeat past actions.

“The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again,” Trump said.

Iran Rejects Talks Under Threats

Earlier, Iran rejected calls for negotiations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective or useful.” He added that Iran has not sought talks and that pressure and excessive demands would not lead to dialogue.

Rising Tensions and Regional Concerns

Tensions between the US and Iran have increased amid ongoing unrest inside Iran. Protests against the government’s crackdown have reportedly left thousands dead and many more arrested, triggering concern across the Middle East.

Back-Channel Diplomacy Continues

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Iranian officials have continued quiet diplomatic efforts with Arab states aligned with the US. On Tuesday, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate discussions with both Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff.