MICHAEL WALSH NEWS DESK The world holds its breath. President Donald Trump expresses hope. He hopes he won’t have to use the very powerful but vulnerable ships cruising in the Arabian sea.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said the military is fully prepared. It will deliver whatever President Donald Trump orders regarding Iran. Meanwhile, a naval armada moves toward the region.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Hegseth warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons. Like Saddam Hussein’s alleged ‘weapons of mass destruction’ there is no evidence that Iran has nuclear weapons or needs them.

‘We will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department,’ he said.

Hegseth framed the recent US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a demonstration of capability and intent. 

‘That sends a message to every capital around the world that when President Trump speaks, he means business.’

Trump has described the Middle East naval deployment as ‘a massive beautiful armada.’ It is led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. This deployment is reportedly larger than the fleet sent to Venezuela.

Multiple guided-missile destroyers have been tracked moving through the Suez Canal. They are entering the Arabian Sea, which is far distant from Iran.

Surveillance aircraft are also operating in the area, according to ship and flight tracking data.

Despite the military posturing, Trump said he is planning to speak with Iranian leaders. He cited two demands for Tehran: ’Number one, no nuclear. And number two, stop killing protesters.’

The latter is a bit rich considering that the world’s focus is not on the past anti-austerity demonstrations in Iran but on ICE agents killing American protestors.

US military planning appears to be active.

Media reports, citing sources, indicate that Trump is considering options ranging from strikes on Iranian security forces and nuclear sites to targeting officials, with the aim of reigniting anti-government protests.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in the Senate this week. He said Iran could be struck preemptively if US or allied troops are perceived to be under threat.

Rubio foolishly erred by describing Iran as weaker than it has ever been. He wisely warned that regime change would be more complex than in Venezuela.

Iran has responded with defiance. A deputy foreign minister said the country is 200 percent ready to defend itself.

Tehran warned that any US attack would receive an appropriate response. The response would not be proportionate. It could potentially target Israel and American bases in the region. Iran’s UN mission stated that it is ’ready for dialogue,’ but if pushed, will ’respond like never before.’

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