WASHINGTON/TEHERAN/ABU DHABI -- The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Middle East, the US Central Command said on X on Monday.

"Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) perform routine maintenance as the aircraft carrier sails in the Indian Ocean, Jan 26," the command said in a post accompanying two photos.

US President Donald Trump said last week that though a "massive" US naval force was heading toward Iran, it may not be used.

"We have an armada. We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it. We'll see," Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

READ MORE: WSJ: White House considers full withdrawal of US troops from Syria

He said a planned 25 percent tariff on countries doing business with Iran would take effect "very soon", and he remains open to negotiations.

"Iran does want to talk, and we'll talk," Trump said during his stay in Davos last week.

Previously, Trump had repeatedly threatened possible military action against Iran.

US Central Command's area of responsibility stretches from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia, according to its website.

Iran says it will respond to any aggression

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday Iran will give a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression.

He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran, responding to US military movements in West Asia and its ongoing joint drills with Gulf states.

"We have been and still are faced with hybrid warfare. In the aftermath of Israel's military aggression against Iran in June, we have been faced with new claims and threats from the United States and Israel every day over the past," Baghaei said.

He said that countries in West Asia know that Iran would not be the sole target of regional insecurity. "Insecurity is contagious," he said, adding that "any country that respects peace and international law should adopt a clear stance towards US threats against other states."

Drawing on its previous experiences during the 12-day war with Israel and the United States, Iran would "definitely give a comprehensive and regret-inducing response to any aggression," Baghaei added.

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Commenting on US President Donald Trump's remarks on Thursday that a US "armada" is heading towards the West Asia with a focus on Iran, Baghaei said the entry of an aircraft carrier to the region "is not supposed to affect Iran's determination and seriousness to defend the country."

He added the Iranian armed forces were closely monitoring any developments and constantly improving their capabilities to protect the country's national sovereignty, dignity and security.

Asked about potential Iran-US talks to prevent conflict, Baghaei said negotiations are only possible with a side that does not seek war or confrontation.

"We have never welcomed war and never shied away from diplomacy and negotiation. We have shown it in practice," he said.

READ MORE: Iran's president says recent unrest part of US-Israeli plot

The US military buildup follows Trump's recent endorsement of anti-government protests in Iran, where he said, "Help is on its way." On Thursday, Trump declared that a "massive" US naval force is heading toward Iran, while suggesting that it may not be used.  

'UAE's territory won't be used for attacks on Iran'

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment not to allow its airspace, territory or waters to be used in any military actions against Iran, according to a statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry added that the UAE will not provide any logistical support for hostile military operations against Iran.

It reiterated the UAE's belief that dialogue, de-escalation, adherence to international law and respect for state sovereignty constitute the most effective foundations for addressing current crises.

The UAE made this statement as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high due to recent protests that have erupted across Iran.

US President Donald Trump's said on Thursday that a US "armada" is heading towards West Asia with a focus on Iran. The US military buildup follows Trump's recent endorsement of Iran's anti-government protests.

At a weekly press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran will give a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression.