Trump gives Iran 10–15 days to make deal; warns of “really bad things” if not

President Trump said Iran has roughly 10 to 15 days to reach a deal with the United States, warning that “really bad things” could happen if it does not, according to several statements on Thursday.

Trump made the initial remarks at the first Board of Peace meeting, saying: “Maybe we’re going to make a deal. Maybe not.”

“Now we may have to take it a step further, or we may not,” Trump added. “You’re gonna be finding over the next probably 10 days.”

Later, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump repeated the warning. “Bad things. Really bad things,” he said when asked what would happen if Iran failed to agree to a deal.

When pressed on whether that could include a U.S. military strike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump declined to provide details.

“I’m not going to talk to you about that,” he said. “We’re going to make a deal, or we’re going to get a deal one way or the other. We either are going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”

Asked whether he was giving Iran a deadline, Trump said: “Ten, 15 days, pretty much maximum.”

The U.S. has assembled a strike force in the Middle East and is awaiting the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying warships. The ships were approaching the Strait of Gibraltar on Thursday, making a potential attack possible within days, according to The Washington Post.

The military buildup coincides with diplomatic talks between U.S. and Iranian officials over Tehran’s nuclear program, but diplomats now believe Iran is not prepared to shift from its core positions, including its right to enrich uranium, the Post reported.

The Wall Street Journal said Wednesday that the United States is sending large numbers of jet fighters and support aircraft to the Middle East, creating the largest concentration of American air power in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.