Trump gives Iran 15 days for nuclear deal
He warned in Washington US may go further without a deal, decision likely within next ten days
Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran: 15 Days to Deal or Face the Consequences
Picture this: President Donald Trump, cruising aboard Air Force One, leans into the microphones with that signature mix of bravado and bluntness. It’s Thursday, and the stakes couldn’t be higher—Iran’s got at most 15 days to hammer out an agreement on its nuclear program and other flashpoints, or the U.S. might just unleash hell.
Trump didn’t pull punches on the timeline. Asked point-blank how long he’d give the Iranians, he shot back: “I would think that would be enough time—10, 15 days, pretty much maximum.” It’s the kind of deadline that feels like a ticking clock in a thriller movie, doesn’t it? Earlier that same day, he’d floated 10 days during a speech at the kickoff of his “Board of Peace”—a fresh initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza amid its endless turmoil.
You could hear the tension in the room. Trump warned that without progress, America “may have to take it a step further.” And then, almost casually: “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. Just days earlier, on Tuesday, Trump’s close ally and roving envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, sat down indirectly with Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva. Word is, there was real progress. Imagine the scene: neutral Swiss ground, backchannel whispers, maybe a few guarded smiles across a table laden with coffee and agendas. It’s a glimmer of hope in a decades-long standoff that’s seen sanctions, sabotage, and shadows of war.
But let’s rewind a bit for context—because this pressure cooker has been simmering for ages. Rewind to a month ago, when Iranian authorities unleashed a brutal crackdown, killing thousands as they stamped out one of the biggest uprisings against the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. That revolution toppled the pro-Western Shah, birthing a theocracy that’s clashed with the West ever since. Protests erupted like wildfire—fueled by economic woes, women’s rights fury, and whispers of regime change. Security forces didn’t hold back; it was tanks in the streets, internet blackouts, and heartbreaking stories of families torn apart. Thousands dead, more imprisoned. The world watched in horror, and now, with Trump back in the White House, the U.S. sees an opening—or a vulnerability—to push hard.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain the elephant in the room. They’ve enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, dodged inspectors, and funded proxies from Yemen to Lebanon. Trump yanked the U.S. out of the 2015 deal years ago, calling it a disaster. Now, with his return, he’s circling back, but on his terms: a “meaningful” pact covering missiles, terrorism support, and regional meddling. No more half-measures.
Enter Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the fiery Florida senator turned diplomat. He’s slated for talks on February 28 in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who’s been hammering Tehran for years. Bibi’s no fan of appeasement—he greenlit a bombing campaign against Iranian targets last year, turning words into airstrikes. Their meeting in Jerusalem promises to be electric: two hawks plotting next moves, with Iran squarely in the crosshairs. Rubio’s got that Cuban-American grit, shaped by Cold War tales from his dad, and Netanyahu’s carrying the weight of October 7’s scars. Together, they could sync U.S.-Israeli strategy like never before.
What’s at stake here? Everything. A deal could thaw decades of frost, boost global oil markets, and maybe even quiet proxy wars. But failure? Trump’s words echo like a warning shot: escalation, perhaps strikes on nuclear sites, risking a wider Middle East inferno. Iran’s clerics aren’t pushovers—they’ve survived sanctions, assassinations, and isolation. Supreme Leader Khamenei might bluff, but his regime’s grip feels shakier post-protests.
For everyday folks, this hits home. Higher gas prices if oil spikes, refugee waves if chaos spreads, and that nagging fear of another forever war. Trump’s betting his deal-making magic—honed in boardrooms and summits—can crack Iran. Critics call it reckless bluster; supporters see genius leverage. Witkoff and Kushner’s Geneva talks hint at momentum, but 15 days? That’s a sprint.
As the calendar flips toward late February, the world’s holding its breath. Will Tehran bend, or will Trump make good on his threat? One thing’s clear: in this game of nations, fortune favors the bold—or the prepared. Stay tuned; the next 10 to 15 days could rewrite the map.