Trump said the fleet was larger than the one he sent to Venezuela, referring to his naval blockade of the South American country to prevent sanctioned oil tankers from leaving.

The president advised Iran make a deal or "the next attack will be far worse."

By Seher Dareen LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell nearly 1% on Friday on signs the U.S. may engage in dialogue with Iran over its nuclear programme, reducing concern over potential supply disruptions from a U.

The plans being weighed by the president go beyond those he considered weeks ago amid widespread protests against Iran’s government.

The US president says he has told Iran it has to do "two things" to avoid military action, as the US builds up its forces in the Gulf.

By Steve Holland and Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday he planned to speak with Iran, even as the U.S. dispatched another warship to the Middle East and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the military would be ready to carry out whatever the president decided.

Suggesting Iran could suffer the same fate as Venezuela, Trump warns Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement, or face "major destruction."

Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.