By Desmond Nleya
Dubai –US President Donald Trump has issued a stark 10-day ultimatum to Iran, demanding what he called a “meaningful deal” over its nuclear programme or face unspecified consequences, as American forces rapidly expand their presence across the Middle East.
“It’s proven over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen,” Trump said Thursday during remarks at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. He added Washington may have to “take it a step further,” warning: “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
Military Option on the Table
The warning comes amid reports from The New York Times that the Pentagon has positioned sufficient assets in the region to allow Trump the option of launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure within days.
Satellite imagery and US defence disclosures show carrier strike groups and strategic aircraft deployed within operational range of Iranian targets. American media outlets including CNN and CBS News report forces could be ready for action imminently.
The The Wall Street Journal said Trump has already been briefed on military options designed to maximise strategic impact.
Israel Issues Its Own Warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the pressure, warning Iran would face a response “they cannot even imagine” if conflict erupts.
The escalating rhetoric follows a second round of US–Iran talks mediated by Oman in Geneva. Iranian officials reportedly asked for additional time to refine proposals, while US officials described discussions as constructive but acknowledged deep unresolved differences.
Tehran Rejects Threats
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back against the threats, saying: “We do not want war.” Iranian atomic authorities insisted no nation could strip Tehran of its right to uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, Russia called for restraint, warning that any strike would trigger “an unprecedented escalation of tension.” Poland has ordered its citizens to leave Iran, and Germany has scaled back troop deployments in northern Iraq.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has conducted drills in the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil transit chokepoint — raising fears that any confrontation could disrupt energy markets worldwide.
Despite ongoing diplomatic engagement, the combination of explicit deadlines, military mobilisation, and hardening rhetoric has sharply increased uncertainty over whether the crisis is heading toward compromise — or confrontation.
