US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme, warning that any next US military response will be far more destructive than the previous ones.

However, Tehran vowed to retaliate against the United States, Israel and their allies if attacked.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly come to the table and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” Trump wrote on social media.

The warning came amid a visible buildup of US military assets in the Middle East, including the arrival this week of an aircraft carrier and supporting warships, which US officials say has expanded Washington’s options should Trump decide to use force.

In another social media post, Trump recalled that his previous warning to Iran had been followed by a US military strike in June and cautioned that any future action would be significantly more destructive.

“The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again,” he wrote, repeating his claim that a US “armada” was heading toward Iran.

Trump, who withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran during his first term in office, has repeatedly said Tehran must agree to a new agreement that permanently blocks it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran threatens broad retaliation

Iran responded sharply. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said any US military action would provoke retaliation against American interests, Israel and countries supporting them.

“Any military aggression by the United States will result in Iran targeting the U.S., Israel and those who support it,” Shamkhani said in a post on X.

Regime change options discussed

Meanwhile, US officials said Trump is weighing a range of options against Iran, including targeted strikes aimed at senior security figures and institutions blamed by Washington for a recent crackdown on nationwide protests, Reuters reported.

Two US sources familiar with the discussions said Trump wants to create conditions for “regime change” following the violent suppression of protests earlier this month, in which thousands were reported killed.

According to the sources, the objective of limited strikes would be to weaken Iran’s security apparatus and embolden protesters by demonstrating that government forces and leadership are vulnerable.