U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to strike a deal within 10-15 days or face "really bad things," after Geneva talks this week ended without a breakthrough despite claims of progress. The comment comes amid a buildup of military from both sides in the region.
He made the comment at the first Board of Peace gathering in Washington on Thursday (19 February).
Trump said Iran’s nuclear potential had been "decimated" referring to last June's attacks, and added, "We may have to take it a step further or we may not. You’ll be finding out over the next probably 10 days."
Later, aboard Air Force One, he said: "I would think that would be enough time, 10, 15 days, pretty much maximum."
In a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, Iran said it would not initiate hostilities but warned that "in the event that it is subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond decisively and proportionately."
The correspondence said "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets."
Iranian and U.S. negotiators met in Geneva on Tuesday where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both sides agreed on "guiding principles," while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said key differences remained.
Trump said "good talks are being had," and a senior U.S. official said Iran would submit a written proposal addressing American concerns.
"They can't have a nuclear weapon, it's very simple," Trump said. "You can't have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon."
Iran maintains its programme is for peaceful purposes. The U.S. and Israel have previously accused Tehran of seeking a weapons capability.
Russia on Thursday urged restraint, warning of an "unprecedented escalation of tension" as the U.S. deployment of additional forces continued.
Iran’s joint naval exercise with Russia followed extended Iranian drills in the Gulf of Oman, with state television showing special forces operating from helicopters and ships.
A senior American official said the buildup of U.S. military should be completed by mid-March.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 28 February to discuss the nuclear file.
Washington wants Iran to halt uranium enrichment, give up long-range missiles, stop supporting armed groups in the region and end the use of force against internal unrest. Iran refuses to negotiate beyond the atomic issue and describes its missile programme as non-negotiable.
It's after the United States and Israel struck Iranian nuclear and military facilities last June in a 12-day war.
Meanwhile Poland has advised its citizens on Thursday to leave Iran, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk saying they "may only have hours" to depart due to rising tension, according to local media reports.
Trump renewed his warnings in January as Iranian authorities suppressed widespread protests, drawing fresh criticism from Western governments.
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British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Afghanistan’s consul general in Mashhad and the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have discussed expanding trade, improving border transit and accelerating the transfer of Afghan prisoners.
Central Asia is facing growing water stress after five consecutive years of drought, with rising temperatures, depleted soil moisture and shrinking groundwater reserves placing increasing pressure on the region, according to a new EU report.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Monday they targeted the source of an attack on a telecom facility on Sirik Island near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Monday that his government would begin legal proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok if he continues to reject calls to resign.
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