Washington: President Donald Trump announced that he will determine within the next 10 to 15 days whether to launch a military strike against Iran amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that this timeframe represents the maximum period he will take to make his decision.
According to Ghana News Agency, Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that if a deal is not reached, it would be "unfortunate" for Iran. The president made these remarks following a speech in Washington during the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace, where he warned Iran's leadership about the potential consequences of continued instability in the region.
Trump highlighted that Iran's activities pose a threat to regional stability and reiterated the necessity for a meaningful nuclear agreement. The United States has increased military presence in the area, deploying additional naval and air force units, including two aircraft carriers, to exert pressure on Tehran.
The president mentioned that discussions with Iran have been productive, including recent talks in Geneva. However, he stressed that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a critical goal of his administration. The U.S. is seeking substantial limitations on Iran's nuclear activities, despite Tehran's denial of pursuing nuclear weapons and its openness to limiting its civilian nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.
Nevertheless, Iran remains firm on its stance to not negotiate over its missile program or its support for militant groups, issues that Washington has also raised. Trump has cited various reasons for considering a strike, ranging from responding to Iran's crackdown on protesters to targeting its nuclear and missile capabilities.