Senator Mark Warner is worried that the US doesn’t have the strength it needs right now to put the “full power of pressure” against Iran, even though President Trump has recently tried to increase tension in the region.
This concern comes as the Trump administration is working hard to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program after striking three of their facilities last year. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was sent to the region in late January, which increased tensions.
According to The Hill, Warner believes a major opportunity was missed because an important military asset wasn’t where it was supposed to be. He pointed to the absence of the USS Gerald R. Ford from the Mediterranean, which would normally be the fleet closest to Iran.
The carrier’s deployment to Venezuela created a critical gap
The Virginia senator was clear about the situation during a recent appearance. He said, “What I fear is that we don’t have the ability to bring the full power of pressure against Iran.” He mentioned the recent protests in Iran, noting that when the Iranian people were “bravely in the streets, and there might’ve been a moment, we couldn’t strike because the aircraft carrier that was usually in the Mediterranean was off the coast of Venezuela during the blockade there.”
The Department of Defense ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to leave the Mediterranean in late October. It was sent to Latin America in November with more than 4,000 sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft on board. Officials said the mission focused on helping to dismantle criminal organizations and stop drug smuggling. Warner argues this decision left US allies and Iranian protesters defenseless.
The senator stressed that when the Iranian people were protesting “en masse” against the Islamic Republic last month, President Trump had issued strong statements backing them and even promised military action if demonstrators were killed.
Thousands were killed in the demonstrations, yet no strikes occurred. Warner stated that the president “couldn’t, or chose not to,” intervene because the necessary firepower wasn’t available due to the Venezuela blockade deployment. Trump has been making bold promises lately, including what he wants from Ghislaine Maxwell in exchange for information.
The lack of fleet presence wasn’t the only issue stopping intervention, according to Warner. He was frustrated that potential allies, specifically the Europeans who maintain relationships with Iran, weren’t putting enough pressure either. He feels they were “too busy focused on Greenland and preserving NATO” to help when the moment was right.
After the deadly demonstrations, President Trump did resume efforts to dismantle the country’s nuclear program, but Iran is not backing down. Its leaders insist they have the right to enrich uranium and develop weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that they aren’t actually seeking an atomic bomb. He explained, “They fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one. Our atomic bomb is the power to say ‘no’ to the great powers.”
Despite the recent setbacks and missed opportunities, Warner encouraged President Trump to keep pushing the regime. He told the host that the US needs to use more than just sanctions. “Clearly, he’s got a fleet now off the coast, he’s got the military option,” Warner said, adding, “I would hope that we could continue to ratchet up pressure from not just our sanctions, but also more of the Europeans as well.”
The senator’s goal remains focused on regime change. “We’ve got to try to find ways to get rid of that regime, though,” he concluded. As the midterm elections approach, Trump is also calling for Republican election control in an unprecedented move.
Published: Feb 10, 2026 04:45 pm