Trump: "A large fleet is moving toward Iran… I hope nothing happens"

US President Donald Trump warned that a major US military force is moving toward Iran, where bloodshed has been triggered by anti-government protests.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back to the United States from Switzerland on the 22nd (local time), Trump said, "A lot of big ships are headed in that direction (Iran) just in case," adding, "We'll see what happens."

He added, "I hope nothing happens, but we're watching them (Iran) very closely."

Trump has reiterated that he would attack if the Iranian government kills participants in the anti-government protests, but he has reportedly not yet decided whether to take military action.

Trump said that after his warning, the Iranian government called off the hangings of 837 protest participants, calling it "a good sign."

Earlier, in an interview with Fox Business in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said of the possibility of military intervention over the bloody crackdown on Iran's anti-government protests, "I don't want to talk about it," adding, "I don't want to lock myself into any position. It would be foolish for me to say that (about the possibility of intervention)."

He continued, "They were going to hang 837 people," adding, "I told them, in the strongest terms, not to do it, and they didn't," and stressed, "We'll see what happens next."

He added, "People used to say Iran was the 'bully of the Middle East,'" and said, "Now they're no longer such an effective bully. They're all afraid of (the United States)."

Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com