‘Make a meaningful deal or bad things will happen’: Trump warns Iran
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Washington: US President Donald Trump on Thursday signaled that Washington could escalate its standoff with Iran within the next 10 days if ongoing negotiations fail to produce what he described as a “meaningful deal.”
Speaking at a Board of Peace event in Washington, Trump said discussions with Iranian representatives were continuing and characterised them as constructive. However, he cautioned that reaching a substantial agreement with Tehran has historically been challenging.
“We have to make a meaningful deal, otherwise bad things will happen,” Trump said, adding that the coming days would be decisive. “You’re going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days.”
The president acknowledged that talks have been “very good” but stressed that progress with Iran has never been easy. He indicated that the United States may be forced to “take a step further” if negotiations do not yield tangible results, though he left open the possibility of a breakthrough.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are leading indirect discussions with Iranian officials, were present at the event. Trump praised their efforts, saying they had held “very good” and “very interesting” meetings and maintained a constructive relationship with their Iranian counterparts.
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to earlier reports by Reuters, the United States has expanded its military footprint in the Middle East, deploying additional aircraft carriers, fighter jets and defence systems to the region.
Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters has also indicated that Iran is reinforcing sensitive nuclear and missile-related facilities. Measures reportedly include strengthening tunnel entrances and adding concrete shielding at key sites. Tehran, however, continues to deny that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.
The next 10 days are likely to prove critical in determining whether diplomacy prevails or whether tensions between the two countries escalate further.