Trump Hints at 10-Day Window for Iran Decision

President continues to say he prefers a nuclear deal as military buildup continues.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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President Trump signaled the U.S. would decide its next moves within 10 days if Iran didn't agree to a nuclear deal, potentially giving the Islamic Republic a new deadline as he weighs a second set of strikes on the country.

Why it matters

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have remained high since the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. This latest statement suggests the president is considering further military action against Iran if a new deal cannot be reached.

The details

Trump told dignitaries at a Board of Peace gathering about Gaza that 'Bad things will happen' if Iran doesn't make a deal, and that 'We may have to take it a step further or we may not. Maybe we are going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.'

  • The president's comments were made on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Bad things will happen if Iran doesn't make a deal. We may have to take it a step further or we may not. Maybe we are going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Wall Street Journal)

What’s next

The president's 10-day deadline for Iran to agree to a new nuclear deal could lead to further escalation of tensions between the two countries if no agreement is reached.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's hardline stance on Iran continues, with the president hinting at potential military action if a new nuclear deal cannot be brokered within the next 10 days.