Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump has issued a fresh 10-day ultimatum to Iran, warning that the United States could launch military strikes if Tehran fails to reach what he called a “meaningful” peace agreement.
The warning came during the inaugural meeting of Trump’s newly formed Peace Council in Washington on Thursday, where nearly 50 world leaders participated either in person or virtually. The president used the forum to emphasize his stated commitment to ending wars, while simultaneously raising the prospect of imminent military action.
“You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days,” Trump said, referring to the status of stalled nuclear negotiations. “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal.”
He added that if talks collapse, “bad things [will] happen,” underscoring that U.S. patience is running thin.
Mounting Military Pressure
Trump’s remarks follow reports that potential U.S. targets in Iran could include nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites and key military installations. In recent weeks, the Pentagon has significantly increased American air and naval assets across the Middle East, repositioning aircraft carriers, fighter squadrons and submarines closer to the region.
Defense analysts note that such a buildup typically serves both as deterrence and preparation, signaling that military options are not merely theoretical.
Nuclear negotiations stalled after the latest round of talks in Geneva, where Iranian officials reportedly requested additional time without offering substantive concessions. Western governments have expressed concern over Tehran’s expanding uranium enrichment program, while Iranian authorities maintain their nuclear activities are peaceful.
A Message of Peace — and Power
At the opening of the Peace Council meeting, Trump struck a dual tone. He spoke at length about the economic and human costs of war, arguing that diplomacy is ultimately far less expensive than conflict.
“There’s nothing less expensive than peace,” he said. “When you go to war, it costs you 100 times what it costs to make peace.”
He also reiterated his long-standing claim that he ended multiple global conflicts during his presidency, positioning himself as a leader determined to halt bloodshed. “I don’t care about the Nobel Prize, I care about saving lives,” he said, in what appeared to be a reference to his absence from this year’s Nobel Peace Prize shortlist.
Yet the timing of the ultimatum delivered amid heightened military readiness, highlighted the tension between Trump’s rhetoric of peace and the administration’s willingness to escalate.
High-Level Delegation
Joining Trump at the meeting were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, senior adviser Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Kushner serves as a special U.S. member of the Peace Council, an initiative Trump has framed as a new diplomatic mechanism aimed at resolving global conflicts. Critics, however, have questioned whether the council risks duplicating or sidelining established international institutions.
Regional Stakes
The renewed confrontation with Iran carries significant geopolitical risks. Any strike on Iranian territory could trigger retaliation across the Middle East, potentially involving proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Energy markets have already shown signs of volatility as tensions rise, given Iran’s strategic position near vital shipping routes.
Trump described Iran as a “hot spot” but insisted that “good talks are being had,” suggesting that diplomatic channels remain open despite the hardened tone.
Whether the 10-day deadline will produce a breakthrough or deepen the standoff remains uncertain. With U.S. military assets positioned in the region and negotiations at an impasse, the coming days may determine whether Washington and Tehran move toward renewed diplomacy, or closer to direct confrontation.
