President Donald Trump has given Iran a 10-day timeline to decide whether to continue diplomatic negotiations or face potential military action, as the United States positions warplanes and aircraft carriers in the Middle East. The announcement was made during the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace, a newly established international body aimed at overseeing reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Gaza, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to ABC News.
“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” Trump said during the meeting, emphasizing that the next 10 days would be critical in determining the U.S. approach toward Iran. When asked by ABC News what the goal of a strike would be, the president declined to provide details, stating only, “we’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”
Trump reiterated that Iran must act swiftly, noting the timeline could extend to 15 days at most. His administration has been evaluating potential military responses following Iran’s crackdown on protests in January, which reportedly left thousands dead. A second U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is en route to the region to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived late last month, according to U.S. officials.
The tension follows a June conflict in which Israeli and U.S. forces targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities, but the strikes did not resolve ongoing concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile development, or support for proxy groups in the region. Iran is expected to submit a written proposal to address these issues following high-level indirect talks in Geneva last Tuesday, though the submission timeline remains uncertain.
During the Board of Peace meeting, Trump emphasized that Iran must engage constructively, warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to severe consequences. The gathering also focused on Gaza reconstruction, with world leaders pledging over $7 billion for rebuilding efforts, including contributions from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait. However, assessments by the United Nations, EU, and World Bank suggest that full reconstruction could exceed $70 billion and require several years.
Several European nations and the Vatican have declined to join the Board of Peace over concerns it may rival the United Nations. Despite this, Trump stated the U.S. would contribute $10 billion to the initiative, noting that the cost of peace is far less than the expense of conflict. Five countries—Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania—have committed troops to an international Gaza stabilization force, with Egypt and Jordan agreeing to train police personnel. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, commander of the force, stated the eventual deployment would include 20,000 troops working alongside 12,000 Palestinian police.
Trump concluded the session by stressing that the Board of Peace, supported by leaders worldwide, aims to secure long-term stability for Gaza, the Middle East, and beyond, while coordinating closely with the United Nations.
Earlier we wrote that NASA Artemis II countdown resumes after hydrogen fuel leak fix, crew observes launch prep
