By MEE staff
Jan 29, 2026
As the US president turns up the pressure on Tehran, his reasons for threatening military action have changed
US President Donald Trump has been stepping up his threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On Wednesday, he warned that a “massive armada” was on its way to Iran and would attack with “speed and violence” unless Tehran cut a deal.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump drew comparisons with an operation that eventually led to the US abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but said the fleet deployed towards Iran was “larger” than the one sent to South America at the beginning of the month.
“Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” he wrote.
“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.”
The reference to nuclear weapons confused some people, as previously Trump had threatened military action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protesters earlier this month.
But Trump’s animosity towards Iran has been a long time in the making, and the reasoning behind his threats to the country has shifted.
Middle East Eye takes a look at some of Trump’s changing explanations for an attack on Iran.
Support for Israel
Trump’s longtime support for Israel has been at the core of his hostility towards Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long regarded Trump as a close ally and has been a driving force in the US president’s policy on Iran.
On 4 February last year, Netanyahu visited Trump in Washington. He reminded him that Iran had plans to assassinate Trump – an allegation that has been denied by Tehran – and insisted that Iran was stockpiling uranium.
However, Trump at that time was reportedly reluctant to attack Iran, citing a desire for negotiations.
Come June, however, Israel launched a series of air strikes on Iran which, despite nominally targeting nuclear scientists and institutions, ended up killing more than 1,000 people.
After a few days of Israeli strikes, the US eventually joined in, carrying out a series of attacks against the Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre.
“Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social following the strikes.
Protecting protesters
Demonstrations broke out in Iran over the new year, fuelled by a range of public grievances, including economic collapse, corruption and repression.
As the death toll began to rise – with thousands believed to have been killed – Trump weighed in, threatening to take military action against Iran unless it stopped killing protesters and halted planned executions.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!,” he wrote on 10 January.
He reiterated his threats on 13 January, urging the protesters to keep going as “help is on its way”.
On 14 January, however, he sharply changed tack and claimed he had been told “the killing in Iran is stopping … And there’s no plan for executions”.
A major reason reported for the drawback was pleas from Middle Eastern allies fearful that strikes would destabilise the region.
Nuclear programme
Former President Barack Obama’s 2015 deal with Iran to limit its nuclear ambitions was roundly lambasted by Trump when in opposition, and in 2018, as president, he pulled the US out of the deal.
Since then he has implemented a policy of “maximum pressure” against the country, imposing brutal sanctions and targeting Tehran’s allies across the region and internationally.
Despite withdrawing from the original deal, Trump has repeatedly insisted that Iran should negotiate a new agreement with the US.
On 28 January, Trump issued an ultimatum that Iran should make a deal, without reference to the killing of protesters or other issues.
In block capitals, he emphasised: “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS.”
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