Inserts:

00:03 Report / Craig Crowther
01:00 Donald Trump / US President
01:45 Abbas Araghchi / Iranian Foreign Minister

Script:

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, leaves the Greek island of Crete to head to the Middle East. 

This is just part of the biggest American military buildup in the region since the Invasion of Iraq over 20 years ago. 

0.21

+++GFX MAP MILITRARY BUILDUP+++

The US currently has a number of warships within close proximity to Iran ... and a number of military bases hosting aircraft in the region. 

0.34

+++European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-2+++

Reuters confirmed that one of the vessels off the coast of Oman was the USS Abraham Lincoln, after it analysed satellite imagery. 

0.46

Speaking earlier this week during his record-breaking State of the Union Address, US President Donald Trump made clear what threat his administration thinks Iran poses.

1.04

+++Donald Trump, US President+++

They`ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they`re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America. After Midnight Hammer, they were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular, nuclear weapons. Yet they continue. 

1.27

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (PEZ-ESH-KIAN) says his country is NOT seeking a nuclear weapon. 

1.37

But Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iranian television on Wednesday that while they are willing to talk, they do have their own red lines. 

1.49

+++ Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister+++

We are ready to answer questions. We are ready to remove concerns, but we are not ready to give up our right to peaceful use of nuclear technology. This is what we are, what we demand.

2.01

Iran has threatened escalation in the wake of any American attack. 

2.07

This footage of Tehran's military drills was shown on Iranian state television earlier this week ...no doubt a warning to those watching in Washington.