Trump gives Iran 15-day ultimatum on nuclear deal, warns of 'bad things'

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach a deal over its nuclear programme, warning that failure to do so would bring severe consequences amid growing speculation about possible US military strikes.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I would think that would be enough time,” adding, “We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.” Earlier, at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, he said the outcome of negotiations would be decided within about 10 days and described Iran as “a hot spot right now.” He also said, “It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise bad things happen.”

Military movements have intensified concerns of escalation. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was reported to be approaching Gibraltar en route from the Caribbean to waters near Iran, where it is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln. Media reports citing US officials suggested a high likelihood of strikes within weeks if diplomacy fails, with some sources saying the military could be ready to act as early as this weekend.

Iran responded by sending a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stating that it does not seek war but would respond decisively to any military aggression. The communication warned that bases, facilities and assets belonging to hostile forces in the region would be considered legitimate targets if Iran is attacked. Tehran said Washington’s rhetoric signals a real risk of military action.

Iranian and Russian Federation naval forces held joint drills on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. Iranian military reports said the exercise simulated the rescue of a hijacked vessel and involved special operations units from Iran’s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps alongside Russian forces. Equipment deployed included the destroyer Alvand, missile-launching warships, helicopters, landing craft and combat speedboats. The manoeuvres followed a separate IRGC drill earlier in the week in the Strait of Hormuz that included a temporary closure of the strategic waterway.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is prepared for “any scenario” involving Iran and warned that any attack would trigger a response of overwhelming force. He said Israel had conveyed its position on negotiations to Washington and cautioned that Tehran would face consequences “they cannot even imagine” if it launches aggression.

In Europe, the Council of the European Union formally added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the EU terrorist list, imposing sanctions that freeze the group’s assets within member states and prohibit financial support from European operators. The designation raises the number of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures under the bloc’s counterterrorism framework.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has not authorised the United States to use British military facilities for potential strikes on Iran, according to government sources cited in local media. The bases mentioned include the US-UK facility on Diego Garcia in the Chagos archipelago and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. A British government spokesperson said it is standard practice not to comment on operational matters. The United States has previously used both locations for military operations in the Middle East, though neither was used in last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The developments reflect sharply rising tensions across the region as diplomatic efforts continue under the shadow of possible military confrontation.