President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has roughly 10 days to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States or face potential further military action, underscoring mounting pressure as indirect negotiations continue.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, Trump said negotiations were progressing but insisted Tehran must agree to what he called a “meaningful” deal.
“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.”
Trump’s remarks follow a second round of indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the sides made “good progress in the negotiations” in Geneva and “were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles.”
A senior U.S. official said Iran would present a written proposal addressing Washington’s concerns.
White House officials have indicated that significant gaps remain, particularly over uranium enrichment and missile capabilities.
Trump reiterated that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, arguing that regional peace depends on preventing such an outcome.
The renewed diplomacy marks the first sustained engagement since the June airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Even as talks proceed, the United States has expanded its military presence in the Middle East, deploying aircraft carriers, warships and fighter jets in what officials describe as a deterrent posture.
The buildup has intensified fears of a wider conflict and contributed to volatility in global oil markets.
Russia warned against what it called an “unprecedented escalation of tension,” as a Russian corvette joined planned Iranian naval drills in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran, which denies seeking a nuclear weapon, has signaled willingness to curb uranium enrichment under strict international inspections but has rejected demands to abandon enrichment entirely or limit its missile arsenal.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed U.S. naval deployments, writing that a warship is dangerous but suggesting Iran possesses the capability to respond.
Despite ongoing negotiations, sharp rhetoric from both sides has persisted, reflecting deep divisions over the scope and terms of any potential agreement.