At the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, DC, Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Iran, saying Tehran must agree to a diplomatic settlement on its nuclear programme or face consequences that could follow if negotiations collapse.
Addressing an audience of global leaders and diplomats, Trump emphasised that progress in indirect talks with Iranian representatives had been “good,” but made clear that a meaningful deal is non-negotiable. “They must make a deal… or bad things will happen,” he said, setting an informal 10-day window for a breakthrough before Washington considers other options.
The warning came amid a significant U.S. military build-up in the Middle East, with additional naval and air assets positioned near the region a move that has amplified concerns of potential escalation. While Trump couched his remarks in diplomatic language and reiterated his commitment to peace, the undercurrent of military pressure was unmistakable.
Trump framed the ultimatum as part of broader peace efforts, noting that the Board of Peace aims to support conflict resolution including reconstruction and stabilisation work in places like Gaza but insisted that addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions is critical to long-term regional stability. He also expressed a desire for other major powers such as China and Russia to engage with the Board’s mission.
Iran has maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, and Tehran’s response so far has been cautious, calling for continued diplomacy while rejecting demands to fully abandon enrichment activities. Observers say the coming days could be decisive in determining whether diplomacy holds or tensions spiral further.
