U.S. President Donald Trump has set a 10- to 15-day deadline for Iran to agree to a nuclear deal, warning of severe consequences if negotiations fail. Speaking aboard Air Force One on February 20, 2026, Trump stated, "We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them," amid heightened speculation about potential U.S. military strikes.
The ultimatum follows Trump's remarks at the inaugural "Board of Peace" meeting, where he labeled Iran "a hot spot right now" and emphasized the urgency of securing a "meaningful deal." The U.S. military has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford toward Gibraltar, positioning it near the USS Abraham Lincoln in proximity to Iranian waters, according to regional media reports.
An adviser close to Trump estimated a 90% likelihood of military action within weeks if talks collapse, as reported by Axios earlier this week. CNN also cited sources suggesting strikes could occur "as early as this weekend," underscoring the rapidly escalating tensions.
