Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned the United States that American naval power would not protect it from retaliation, responding directly to recent statements by President Donald Trump about sending a large U.S. fleet toward Iran.
“The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran,” Khamenei wrote early Tuesday on social media. While acknowledging that a warship is a powerful military asset, he argued that the greater danger lies in “the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.”
The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
Minutes later, Khamenei followed with a second message, referencing Trump’s claim that the United States has failed for decades to overthrow Iran’s Islamic Republic. “That is a good confession,” he wrote. “I say, ‘You, too, will not be able to do this.’”
The US President has said that for 47 years, the United States hasn't been able to eliminate the Islamic Republic. That is a good confession. I say, " You, too, will not be able to do this."
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
The remarks came after Trump publicly declared that a U.S. naval armada was moving toward Iran and warned Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program or face military consequences. In a January 28 post on Truth Social, Trump said a “massive Armada” led by an aircraft carrier was headed to the region and could carry out its mission “with speed and violence, if necessary.”
A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 28, 2026
Trump also reiterated the claim during an appearance on OANN’s live broadcast, saying, “We’re watching Iran. We have a lot of ships going that direction just in case… We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
President Trump on Greenland: "We're watching Iran. We have a lot of ships going that direction just in case… We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it. We'll see."
— One America News (@OANN) January 23, 2026
Watch OAN Live here: https://t.co/Ci8c350hE1 pic.twitter.com/tyhCG875qX
The renewed war of words comes amid severe internal unrest in Iran. Nationwide protests that began in late December have been met with a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. Human rights groups and activist networks estimate that thousands of protesters have been killed and tens of thousands detained, with some placing the death toll above 6,000. Iranian officials dispute those figures and report significantly lower numbers.
Trump has tied U.S. pressure on Iran both to its handling of the protests and to its nuclear ambitions. While saying he hopes to avoid war, he has emphasized that U.S. forces are prepared to act if Iran refuses to negotiate limits on its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, some Iranians have expressed cautious optimism that diplomacy could reduce tensions. Reuters reported Tuesday that residents in Tehran are watching upcoming indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva closely, hoping negotiations will prevent a broader conflict and ease pressure on the country’s economy.
