Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a stark ultimatum to Iran Thursday while hosting the inaugural meeting of the newly established Board of Peace, underscoring a central dilemma in his foreign policy: pursuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran at the same time as threatening potential military action.
Addressing representatives from dozens of nations gathered in Washington, Trump reiterated his stated preference for a negotiated settlement to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, presenting diplomacy as the preferred path forward. A senior U.S. official described recent indirect discussions between U.S. and Iranian negotiators as “good talks,” and the President urged Tehran to strike a “meaningful deal” within the next 10 to 15 days to avert further escalation.
At the same time, the President’s remarks made clear that he has authorized a substantial U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and warned that “bad things will happen” if Iran fails to reach an agreement—a phrase widely interpreted as encompassing potential military action.
This juxtaposition of peace diplomacy and military deterrence reflects ongoing tensions in U.S. foreign policy objectives. Trump framed his approach as both firm and pragmatic, insisting that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon” and emphasizing that the United States seeks stability for the region.
The Board of Peace, a U.S.-led international coalition initially created to support reconstruction efforts in Gaza, convened its first formal session against this backdrop of mounting pressure with Tehran. The President announced a significant U.S. contribution to the initiative and outlined its broader mission to foster global stability, even as uncertainty over U.S.–Iran relations persists.
Iran has responded cautiously, maintaining that it will not begin hostilities but warning that it would defend itself if attacked. Tehran has also signalled a willingness to negotiate, though major differences remain over the scope of its nuclear programme and regional influence.
As the international community watches closely, the United States has made clear that a diplomatic resolution with Iran remains a priority, but that it is prepared to pursue additional options if negotiations do not achieve the desired outcome.
