Washington: Iran must agree to a meaningful nuclear deal or "bad things will happen", US President Donald Trump warned this week, even as indirect negotiations continued in Switzerland amid heightened military tensions in the Middle East.
"It's proven to be 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. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, Trump stressed that diplomacy remains open but not indefinite.
The president also clarified that the negotiations with the US must happen in the next 10 days or Washington "may have to take it a step further". Without elaborating on the US response, he said, "You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days."
The US is pressing Iran to dismantle or significantly curb its nuclear programme, arguing that Tehran’s enrichment activities and stockpiles pose a proliferation risk.
Iran has repeatedly denied seeking a nuclear weapon and insists its programme is for civilian energy and research purposes. Tehran has also rejected demands to fully abandon enrichment, describing it as a sovereign right.
Meanwhile, Washington has deployed more than 50 advanced fighter aircraft — including F-22s, F-35s and F-16s — to the Middle East in recent days, along with additional naval assets and air defence systems.
The build-up is being described by US officials as a deterrent posture meant to protect American forces and reassure regional allies.
Iranian leaders have cautioned that any attack would trigger retaliation and destabilise the broader Gulf region, where tensions are already high due to ongoing conflicts and proxy rivalries.
