US President Donald Trump announced yesterday that a US naval fleet is now heading to Iran.
The development increases pressure on Iran, although he had previously downplayed the prospect of military action in the near future.
This week, Trump announced a withdrawal from the threat to attack Iran following Tehran's crackdown on anti-government protests among Iranians.
The White House said that Tehran had stopped the execution plan for protesters.
However, Trump confirmed that military preparations were continuing.
US media reported last week that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group had been ordered to divert from the South China Sea to the Middle East.
In a statement to reporters on Air Force One, he said that his party was watching Iran and sending a large US force there as a precaution.
At the same time, Trump repeated his threat to use force if necessary, even though Tehran had reportedly stopped the protest involving 837 protesters.
The influential leader also expressed openness to holding peace talks with Iran.
