Donald Trump has warned Iran that "time is running out" to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme following the steady build-up of US military forces in the Gulf.
The US president said a "massive Armada" was "moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose" towards Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "Conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective or useful."
Trump has previously said he would "rescue" protesters involved in the brutal and unprecedented crackdown on demonstrations in Iran earlier this month.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says it has confirmed the killing of nearly 6,000 people, including 5,633 protesters, since the unrest began at the end of December.
