US President Donald Trump has combined diplomatic pressure with military signaling as tensions with Iran escalate, saying the world will learn within “probably the next 10 days” whether a nuclear agreement can be reached or whether Washington may move toward military action.
Trump made the remarks during the inaugural meeting of his newly established Board of Peace in Washington. He warned that failure to secure what he called a meaningful deal with Iran could lead to unspecified “bad things,” though he stressed that diplomatic efforts were still ongoing.
Negotiations Continue in Switzerland
Diplomatic discussions between American and Iranian representatives have reportedly taken place in Switzerland, with officials suggesting that some progress has been achieved.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that Tehran is preparing a draft proposal for a possible agreement, which may be delivered to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in the coming days.
Another senior adviser involved in diplomatic outreach, Jared Kushner, has also participated in meetings related to Middle East negotiations.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but the United States and its European allies suspect that Tehran could be moving toward weapons capability—an allegation repeatedly denied by Iranian authorities.
Military Deployment Expands in the Region
Alongside diplomatic talks, the United States has strengthened its military posture in the Middle East.
The deployment includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other naval and air assets positioned near strategic waterways.
Satellite observations have suggested that Iran has reinforced defensive installations around sensitive military and nuclear-related facilities.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has issued social media messages warning US forces against aggression, describing American warships in the region as potentially vulnerable targets.
UK Base Access Remains Uncertain
Reports indicate that the United Kingdom has not granted permission for the United States to use British military bases, including facilities previously associated with Middle East operations.
Bases such as RAF Fairford and the Indian Ocean territory Diego Garcia have been used in past US operations, but current authorization for any strike on Iran has not been confirmed.
The UK government has stated that the use of its bases by foreign forces requires a legal and policy justification.
Political and Legal Debate in the United States
Domestic opposition to potential military action has also surfaced in the US Congress.
Lawmakers including Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie have expressed intentions to force a congressional vote under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, arguing that any large-scale military operation should require legislative approval.
Critics warn that a prolonged confrontation with Iran could endanger thousands of US troops stationed in the region and risk retaliatory attacks, given Iran’s significant military capabilities and population size.
Strategic Ambiguity and Board of Peace Role
Trump’s Board of Peace was originally presented as a mechanism to help manage the Israel–Hamas conflict and support post-war reconstruction in Gaza. Observers now question whether the body could develop into a broader diplomatic platform that might operate alongside or even challenge the role of the United Nations.
High Stakes in the Coming Days
The administration has not specified what exact military objectives would guide a potential limited strike if negotiations fail. Past US operations in Iran occurred alongside public diplomatic messaging, reflecting a strategy of maintaining pressure while keeping adversaries uncertain about timing.
With negotiations continuing, military assets expanding, and political debate intensifying, the next several days are likely to be critical in determining whether diplomacy or confrontation shapes the trajectory of US-Iran relations.
The outcome of the 10-day informal deadline may influence not only Middle East security dynamics but also global energy markets, international alliances, and geopolitical stability.
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