In a dramatic escalation of tensions, US President Donald Trump has delivered a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding a nuclear agreement within 10-15 days or facing severe consequences. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his ‘Board of Peace’ in Washington, Trump declared negotiations were progressing but insisted Tehran must reach a “meaningful” agreement to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
The presidential warning came amid substantial US military deployments across the Middle East that have intensified fears of regional conflict. While Trump referenced successful airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in June that allegedly “decimated” capabilities, he explicitly threatened further military action should diplomacy fail.
Iran responded with measured defiance through an official letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. While assuring no initiation of hostilities, Tehran warned that any American aggression would trigger “decisive and proportionate” self-defense measures targeting all US bases and assets throughout the region. The communication emphasized that Washington would bear “full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences.”
The geopolitical standoff has already influenced global markets, with oil prices climbing amid the heightened tensions. Adding complexity to the situation, Russian naval forces participated in joint exercises with Iran in the Gulf of Oman, a critical maritime corridor for energy transportation.
Despite diplomatic engagements between Iranian and US negotiators that reportedly established “guiding principles,” significant divisions persist. The White House acknowledges remaining disagreements on crucial issues. Trump maintains his fundamental position: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. You can’t have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon.”
Iran continues to resist discussions beyond its nuclear program, specifically identifying missile arsenal limitations as an absolute “red line.” Satellite imagery analysis reveals both reconstruction efforts at damaged nuclear sites and military preparations across US installations in the region.
International concern continues mounting, with Poland becoming the latest European nation to urgently advise citizen evacuation from Iran. Russian officials concurrently cautioned against “unprecedented escalation” while advocating for restraint from all involved parties.