President Trump on Thursday warned that “bad things will happen” if Iran does not reach an agreement with the United States, suggesting a decision could come within the next 10 days
President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that “bad things will happen” if Iran does not reach an agreement with the United States, suggesting a decision could come within the next 10 days.
“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” CNN quoted Trump as saying at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, DC.
“You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days, but this meeting today is proof with determined leadership, nothing is impossible,” he added.
According to a CNN report, the US military is prepared to strike Iran as soon as this weekend, though Trump has not made a final decision on authorising military action.
The president has privately weighed arguments for and against a strike and consulted advisers and allies on the best course of action, the report added.
Trump renewed his call for Tehran to reach a deal, warning of consequences if it fails to do so.
“Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we’re doing. And if they join us, that will be great. If they don’t join us, that will be great too, but it will be a very different path. They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal,” he said.
“If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Bad things will happen if it doesn’t,” Trump added.
Trump’s war threats
President Trump has deployed aircraft carriers, warships and fighter jets to the region, fuelling fears of another strike on Iran.
The United States and Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities and select military sites last June.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28 to discuss Iran, Reuters quoted a senior US official as saying.
Washington is demanding that Tehran fully abandon uranium enrichment — a process used for civilian nuclear energy that can also produce material for weapons.
The US and Israel are also pressing Iran to curb its long-range ballistic missile programme, end support for armed groups across the Middle East and halt the use of force against domestic protesters.
Iran has rejected negotiations beyond its nuclear programme, calling limits on its missile arsenal a red line.
Satellite imagery shows Iran repairing and fortifying nuclear and missile sites in recent months, while US bases across the Middle East have stepped up preparations.
Tehran has also conducted joint exercises with Russia and expanded naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, with state media airing footage of special forces deployed by helicopter and sea.
Trump renewed threats of strikes in January as Iranian authorities suppressed widespread protests with deadly force.
With inputs from agencies
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