Trump gives Iran 15 days for a nuclear deal amid military escalation
In a new escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran, former US President Donald Trump, during his presidency, gave Iran a 15-day deadline to reach a "viable deal" regarding its nuclear program, threatening that if no agreement was reached, Tehran would face "bad consequences." This sharp statement, made during the inaugural meeting of the "Peace Council" in Washington, reflected the "maximum pressure" policy adopted by his administration toward the Islamic Republic.
A tense historical context: from the nuclear agreement to maximum pressure
The roots of this tension stretch back decades, but it reached its peak with the Iranian nuclear program. In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations: the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany. Under this agreement, Iran agreed to significantly restrict its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
However, this diplomatic path suffered a major setback in May 2018 when President Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement, calling it “the worst deal ever.” This was followed by the reimposition of harsh economic sanctions on Iran, aimed at crippling its economy and forcing it back to the negotiating table to reach a new agreement that would include broader restrictions on its missile program and regional influence.
Trump's statements and details of the deadline
During his speech, Trump said, “It has been proven over the years that it is not easy to reach a viable deal with Iran. We have to reach a viable deal, or bad things will happen.” He later added to reporters aboard Air Force One that the deadline was between “10 and 15 days,” emphasizing that a decision would be made soon. These statements coincided with significant US military movements in the region, including the deployment of aircraft carriers and thousands of troops, raising concerns about a potential direct military confrontation.
Iran's position and indirect negotiations
In contrast, Iran maintained its refusal to negotiate under pressure, asserting its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes in accordance with the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iranian officials, including the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, stated that enrichment is the foundation of the nuclear industry and that no country can deny Iran this peaceful technology. Despite the hardline rhetoric, indirect channels of communication continued, with talks mediated by the Sultanate of Oman in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and find common ground.
Regional and international impact
This escalation had a profound impact on the stability of the Middle East. It led to an increase in attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf and heightened the anxiety of Washington’s regional allies. Internationally, the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement created a rift with European allies who had tried to salvage the deal, considering it the best way to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Thus, Trump’s ultimatum placed the world at a critical crossroads, the outcome of which would determine the course of international relations and the future of security in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
