\n The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has already arrived, according to a Monday post by Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US forces in the Middle East and West and Central Asia.\n <\/p>\n
\n However, Trump is still considering his options on what, if any, action the US take on Iran and there is no indication any decision has been made, sources have told CNN.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case. I\u2019d rather not see anything happen, but we\u2019re watching them very closely,\u201d Trump said Friday.\n <\/p>\n
\n The CENTCOM announcement did not specify the exact location or duration of the drills, or what assets would be taking part.\n <\/p>\n
\n Tensions between the US and Iran have been inflamed in recent weeks over the regime\u2019s bloody crushing of dissent. More than 5,800\ufeff protesters have been killed since demonstrations began late last month, according to a Tuesday report by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which said an additional 17,091 deaths are still under review. CNN cannot independently verify HRANA\u2019s numbers, however Iran has admitted thousands of people were killed.\n <\/p>\n
\n Trump has warned against killing protesters and had repeatedly threatened to intervene if Tehran does not change course. Last week, however, Trump said that Iran \u201cwants to talk,\u201d suggesting a possible diplomatic solution.\n <\/p>\n
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\n On Monday, the administration reiterated it is open to having discussions with the Iranian regime if \u201cthey know what the terms are,\u201d a US official said.\n <\/p>\n
\n Meanwhile, Iran has been escalating its rhetoric against the US, warning that any attack would be met with force that could of destabilize the entire Middle East. Tehran is \u201cmore than capable\u201d of responding to any aggression from the US with a \u201cregretful\u201d response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told journalists Monday.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe arrival of one or several warships does not impact Iran\u2019s defensive determination,\u201d he said. \u201cOur armed forces are monitoring every development and are not wasting a single second to enhance their capabilities.\u201d\n <\/p>\n