“협상 성공할 것이라 생각…아니라면 이란에 매우 나쁜 날 될 것”
“우크라戰 해결할 것”…”젤렌스키 안 움직이면 큰 기회 놓치는 것”
[EPA=연합뉴스 자료사진]
(Washington) – President Donald Trump announced on February 13, 2026, that a second aircraft carrier will soon be dispatched to the Middle East, stating the move is a precaution should nuclear negotiations with Iran fall apart. The deployment underscores growing regional tensions as talks continue.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for a visit to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump said the second carrier would be “leaving very soon” and would be “needed in case the negotiations don’t work out.”
“We’ll utilize it if we have to, and it’s all set up,” he added, describing it as “a very powerful force.”
The President expressed optimism that negotiations with Iran would “be successful,” but warned that if they are not, “it’s going to be a very bad day for Iran.”
The U.S. Military is preparing to deploy the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Middle East, joining the Abraham Lincoln, already stationed in the Persian Gulf. This will bring the total number of carrier strike groups in the region to two.
Trump’s comments formalized the additional carrier deployment, a move widely seen as an attempt to increase pressure on Iran and secure a favorable outcome in the nuclear negotiations. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks.
He also signaled that the option of military action against Iran remains on the table should negotiations fail.
The United States, which resumed nuclear talks with Iran after an eight-month pause, is pursuing a “two-track” approach of applying military pressure while continuing dialogue.
During a speech at Fort Bragg, Trump stated, “I really want to see if we can make a deal with Iran.” He continued, “They were very tough to negotiate with. Last time, I thought we were going to make a deal. They wanted to make a deal too. What we did was ‘Midnight Hammer’”—referencing a U.S. Military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities last June.
Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg was to honor service members who participated in a recent surprise military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and extradition of President Nicolás Maduro.
In his remarks, Trump emphasized that the United States possesses the world’s most advanced weaponry, technology, and warriors. “Last month, we once again proved this truth as some of the most incredible soldiers in history, right here, successfully captured Maduro and turned him over to U.S. Law enforcement,” he said.
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Trump described the situation as a “mess” and “terrible,” but expressed confidence that the U.S. Is working with Russia and Ukraine to bring the conflict to an finish. “We think we’re going to solve it,” he said. “It takes two to tango. You have to remember that.”
Before leaving the White House, Trump told reporters, “Russia wants to make a deal. Zelenskyy has to move. Otherwise, he’s going to miss a big opportunity.”
Fort Bragg, the largest military installation in the U.S., is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and highly trained units such as the Green Berets and the 82nd Airborne Division.
The base’s name, originally honoring a Confederate general from the Civil War, was changed to Fort Liberty by the Biden administration as part of an effort to remove Confederate symbols. Still, the name was reverted to Fort Bragg after Trump took office.
“The radical left doesn’t like that,” Trump said. “They’re going to change it back to something else, so that’s another reason you have to vote for us.”
Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg marked his second since taking office, with the previous visit occurring last June.
제보는 카카오톡 okjebo <저작권자(c) 연합뉴스, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지> 2026년02월14일 05시24분 송고
