New Delhi | RBN News
United States President Donald Trump has suggested that Iran has roughly 10 days to reach an agreement with Washington, warning that failure to secure a “meaningful deal” could result in further military action.
Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace summit in Washington, DC, on Thursday, Trump said that the coming days would determine whether diplomacy prevails or tensions escalate.
“So now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not,” Trump said. “Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
Link to Previous Military Action
Trump reiterated his position that joint Israeli–US strikes against Iran in June last year were instrumental in shaping regional dynamics, including what he described as a pathway to a ceasefire in Gaza. He argued that without the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the perceived “threat” from Tehran would have hindered efforts toward broader Middle East stability.
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons capability.
Ongoing Negotiations
The remarks come days after the US and Iran held a second round of indirect negotiations. On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the two sides had made “good progress” during talks in Geneva and reached broad agreement on guiding principles for a potential deal.
Despite diplomatic engagement, the US has continued to deploy additional military assets to the Gulf region, including two aircraft carriers and dozens of fighter jets, according to American defence officials.
Sticking Points in Talks
Iran has indicated willingness to curb uranium enrichment levels and allow stringent international inspections. However, the Trump administration has maintained that it opposes any Iranian uranium enrichment.
Washington has also sought limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Iranian officials have rejected restrictions on missile capabilities, describing them as a core component of national defence and non-negotiable.
On Thursday, Trump said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held “very good meetings” with Iranian representatives.
“We have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise, bad things happen,” the US president said.
Iranian Response
Iranian leaders have publicly dismissed the threats. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei wrote on social media that while US naval deployments may appear formidable, Iran possesses capabilities that could counter them.
“The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran,” Khamenei wrote. “However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.”
Rising Tensions Since Late 2025
Relations between Washington and Tehran have remained strained since late 2025. In December, while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump warned that the US would strike Iran again if Tehran attempted to rebuild its nuclear or missile programmes.
Subsequent antigovernment protests in Iran added to regional volatility. Trump publicly encouraged demonstrators, stating that “help is on the way.”
Last month, Trump indicated a temporary easing of tensions, saying Iran had agreed to halt executions of dissidents under US pressure. However, threats and hostile rhetoric have continued despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Background: Nuclear Deal Fallout
Tensions between the two countries date back to 2018, when Trump withdrew the US from the multilateral nuclear agreement that had seen Iran scale back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since then, negotiations have fluctuated between confrontation and dialogue, with regional security concerns, missile capabilities, and uranium enrichment remaining central points of contention.
What Happens Next
With Trump’s latest comments suggesting a 10-day window for progress, diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify. Analysts say the coming days could determine whether the two sides move toward a revised agreement or face renewed military confrontation.
No official timeline has been announced by either government, but both Washington and Tehran appear to be maintaining parallel tracks of diplomacy and strategic signalling.
Further developments are likely as talks continue.
