Trump warns Iran: Time is running out, and the deadline for the nuclear agreement is secret
On Friday, US President Donald Trump expressed his firm belief that the Iranian regime is actively seeking a new agreement with Washington to avert a potential military strike threatened by the US administration. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump revealed new details about the crisis, indicating that he had given Tehran a "specific timeframe" to respond to US proposals, emphasizing that this deadline is known only to the Iranian side.
Details of the deadline and US warnings
Trump told reporters, "I can say they want to make a deal." When asked about a deadline, the US president replied unequivocally, "Yes, I did," adding in a warning tone that "only Tehran knows about this deadline." Trump continued, expressing his hope for a diplomatic solution: "Let's hope we can make a deal. If we can, that would be great. If not, we'll see what happens," while simultaneously emphasizing that "time is running out" for the Iranian leadership to make the right decision.
Background to the tension: Withdrawal from the nuclear agreement
These statements cannot be separated from the historically tense context of relations between the two countries, which have escalated sharply since President Trump's decision in May 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Since then, Washington has adopted a policy of "maximum pressure," reimposing crippling economic sanctions aimed at reducing Iranian oil exports to zero and isolating Tehran from the global financial system, in order to force it to the negotiating table to discuss a new agreement that includes its missile program and regional influence.
Military reinforcements and confrontation scenarios
These political warnings coincide with tangible military moves on the ground; Washington has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, particularly through the deployment of the strike group led by the giant aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in addition to B-52 strategic bombers. Although Trump refused to disclose details of his military plans, he indicated that the United States possesses a "very powerful fleet" in the region, hinting at capabilities exceeding those used in other areas of tension around the world.
Regional and international repercussions
This escalation is raising widespread concerns at both the regional and international levels, with observers fearing that any miscalculation could lead to an open military confrontation that might threaten maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil transport. Countries in the region are on tenterhooks, while international diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation and salvage what remains of the prospects for a political solution, amidst US insistence that Iran must change its destabilizing behavior in the region.
