Payam Javan: President Donald Trump has delivered a stark warning to Tehran, stating that a “meaningful” nuclear agreement must be reached within the next 10 to 15 days or Iran will face “very serious” consequences. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his newly formed “Board of Peace” in Washington, the President combined diplomatic overtures with a clear threat of force, insisting that Iran must completely abandon its nuclear ambitions and halt activities that destabilize the region. “They must make a deal,” Trump declared, adding that if negotiations fail, “bad things will happen.”
The President’s ultimatum comes as the United States orchestrates its largest military deployment in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion. An “armada” of naval and air power, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and the imminent arrival of the USS Gerald Ford—the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier—is currently positioning itself off the Iranian coast. Pentagon officials suggest that the administration is prepared to launch targeted strikes as early as this weekend, aimed at forcing Tehran’s hand or potentially pursuing a broader strategy of regime change.
While Washington emphasizes its readiness for conflict, the “Board of Peace” meeting was ostensibly focused on a multi-billion dollar plan to rebuild Gaza and establish a “Mediterranean Riviera.” This dual-track approach—brandishing an “arsenal of war” while hosting peace summits—has been characterized by analysts as a high-stakes “maximum pressure” tactic. Critics, however, describe the administration’s policy as incoherent, noting the stark contrast between the talk of regional harmony and the rapid assembly of a strike force prepared for an extended conflict.
Diplomatic efforts continue in the background, with U.S. envoys and Iranian officials recently concluding talks in Geneva. Despite some reports of a shared interest in a “fast deal,” significant gaps remains, particularly regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program and domestic enrichment capabilities. As the 10-day clock ticks down, the region remains on a knife-edge, caught between the possibility of a sweeping diplomatic breakthrough and the risk of a catastrophic generational war.
