Trump Gives Iran 10-Day Timeline on Talks or Strike

President Trump threatens military action if Iran doesn't make a deal in upcoming negotiations.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 9:55pm

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President Donald Trump has given Iran a 10-day timeline to decide whether to continue diplomatic talks with U.S. officials or face potential military action. Trump made the announcement during a meeting of the Board of Peace, a new peacekeeping body focused on rebuilding efforts in Gaza that will oversee an international stabilization force. Trump said the U.S. is prepared to take further steps if Iran does not make a deal, warning "bad things will happen" if a deal is not reached.

Why it matters

The threat of military action against Iran comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the country's nuclear program, ballistic missile arsenal, and support for regional proxy groups. Trump has been weighing additional military strikes against Iran for weeks following a brutal crackdown on protesters in January. This latest ultimatum raises the stakes and could push the two countries closer to direct conflict.

The details

During the Board of Peace meeting, Trump said Iran "must make a deal" with the U.S. and warned that "bad things will happen" if a deal is not reached. Trump said the U.S. is prepared to take further steps, though he did not specify what those steps would be. The president also announced that the U.S. will contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, which is focused on rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Several Middle Eastern countries have also pledged over $7 billion to the board.

  • Trump gave Iran a 10-day timeline during the Board of Peace meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The U.S. is currently waiting on a written proposal from Iran on how to address U.S. concerns, which Iran agreed to provide during talks in Geneva on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who is threatening military action against Iran if they do not make a deal with the U.S. in the next 10 days.

Iran

The Middle Eastern country that is in ongoing tensions with the U.S. over its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for regional proxy groups.

Board of Peace

A new peacekeeping body focused on rebuilding efforts in Gaza that will oversee an international stabilization force.

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What they’re saying

“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we're going to make a deal. You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days, but this meeting today is proof with determined leadership, nothing is impossible.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“And now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we're doing. And if they join us, that'll be great. If they don't join us, that'll be great too. But it will be a very different path. They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal. Or if that doesn't happen, I maybe can understand. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But, bad things will happen if it doesn't.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This ultimatum from President Trump raises the stakes in the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, potentially pushing the two countries closer to direct military conflict if a deal is not reached in the next 10 days. The outcome could have significant implications for regional stability in the Middle East.