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President Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran fails to make nuclear deal
President Donald Trump has given Iran 10 days to decide on a nuclear deal, warning of potential consequences if an agreement is not reached.
President Donald Trump has set a 10-day deadline to decide whether to continue talks with Iran over its nuclear program or take further action, as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East.At his inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Trump urged Iran to choose a diplomatic path, saying, “Now is the time for Iran to join us on the path to complete what we’re doing here. If they join us, it’ll be great; if they don’t join us, it’ll be great, too. But it’ll be a very different path.”Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “So now we may have to take it a step further. Or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next probably ten days.”The timeline coincides with the U.S. stepping up its military presence in the region, including fighter jets, air defense systems, and two aircraft carrier strike groups, with the USS Gerald Ford expected to arrive Saturday.Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power, said the buildup represents a significant shift in posture.”What we are seeing unfold as we speak right now in the Middle East is an extraordinary amount of American combat power,” Bowman said.Bowman noted that maintaining two carrier strike groups in the region at the same time is uncommon and provides the president with a wider range of options, while also increasing the stakes.Bowman said the strategy strengthens the U.S. position in negotiations, “Clearly, President Trump is trying to cast the shadow of power over the bargaining table for the purpose of getting what he called today a meaningful deal.”Both sides have signaled they are prepared to defend their interests if talks break down.Iran has showcased its own military capabilities, hosting joint drills with Russia and warning it would retaliate against any U.S. attack.Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central objective, stating, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, there can’t be peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon. We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise bad things will happen.”The situation is also drawing scrutiny on Capitol Hill. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie say they plan to bring forward a vote next week aimed at limiting the president’s authority to launch military strikes against Iran without congressional approval.Trump’s remarks came during meetings of his newly formed Board of Peace, a coalition of 27 countries focused on stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza.Member nations pledged $7 billion in funding. The U.S. committed $10 billion, though the administration has not specified where the funds came from or how they would be allocated.Several European allies, including Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, participated as observers but have not formally joined the board.
President Donald Trump has set a 10-day deadline to decide whether to continue talks with Iran over its nuclear program or take further action, as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East.
At his inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Trump urged Iran to choose a diplomatic path, saying, “Now is the time for Iran to join us on the path to complete what we’re doing here. If they join us, it’ll be great; if they don’t join us, it’ll be great, too. But it’ll be a very different path.”
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Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “So now we may have to take it a step further. Or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You’re going to be finding out over the next probably ten days.”
The timeline coincides with the U.S. stepping up its military presence in the region, including fighter jets, air defense systems, and two aircraft carrier strike groups, with the USS Gerald Ford expected to arrive Saturday.
Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power, said the buildup represents a significant shift in posture.
“What we are seeing unfold as we speak right now in the Middle East is an extraordinary amount of American combat power,” Bowman said.
Bowman noted that maintaining two carrier strike groups in the region at the same time is uncommon and provides the president with a wider range of options, while also increasing the stakes.
Bowman said the strategy strengthens the U.S. position in negotiations, “Clearly, President Trump is trying to cast the shadow of power over the bargaining table for the purpose of getting what he called today a meaningful deal.”
Both sides have signaled they are prepared to defend their interests if talks break down.
Iran has showcased its own military capabilities, hosting joint drills with Russia and warning it would retaliate against any U.S. attack.
Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central objective, stating, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, there can’t be peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon. We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise bad things will happen.”
The situation is also drawing scrutiny on Capitol Hill. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie say they plan to bring forward a vote next week aimed at limiting the president’s authority to launch military strikes against Iran without congressional approval.
Trump’s remarks came during meetings of his newly formed Board of Peace, a coalition of 27 countries focused on stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza.
Member nations pledged $7 billion in funding. The U.S. committed $10 billion, though the administration has not specified where the funds came from or how they would be allocated.
Several European allies, including Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, participated as observers but have not formally joined the board.
