Trump Sets 10-Day Iran Deadline: Deal or Military Action

"The world will find out over the next, probably, ten days whether we'll reach a deal with Iran or take military action."

With this single sentence at his inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Donald Trump has set a ticking clock on one of the world's most volatile geopolitical situations. It's classic Trump diplomacy: negotiate with a sword hanging over the table.

The Carrot and the Stick

Trump's approach combines genuine diplomatic outreach with unmistakable military pressure. His special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — notably, his son-in-law — have reportedly held "very good meetings" with Iranian officials in Switzerland.

"It's proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran," Trump acknowledged. "Otherwise bad things happen." That understated threat carries weight when backed by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier now positioned in the region.

The military buildup isn't just for show. American forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities last July, and the White House was reportedly discussing new attack options this week. Iran's 90 million citizens live under the shadow of this escalating standoff.

Iran's Defiant Response

Tehran isn't backing down quietly. Satellite imagery shows Iran reinforcing military installations, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken to social media with pointed warnings.

"The US President constantly says that the US has sent a warship toward Iran," Khamenei posted. "However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea."

This isn't empty rhetoric from a regime known for asymmetric warfare capabilities. Iran's complex society boasts "significant air defences and military capabilities," as Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna noted in opposing potential military action.

Congressional Pushback

The 1973 War Powers Act is getting another workout. Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie — strange bedfellows in normal times — plan to force a vote next week requiring congressional approval for Iran military operations.

"A war with Iran would be catastrophic," Khanna warned. "Thousands of US troops in the region could be at risk of retaliation."

Yet passage chances remain slim. Senate Republicans already blocked a similar resolution on Venezuela operations in January, suggesting party loyalty may trump constitutional concerns.

The Board of Peace Expands

Originally conceived to address the Gaza conflict, Trump's Board of Peace — comprising roughly two dozen countries — appears to be morphing into something larger. Is this an end-run around the United Nations, or a genuine attempt at multilateral problem-solving?

The timing suggests broader ambitions. With traditional international institutions struggling to address multiple crises, Trump may be positioning his board as an alternative forum for global conflict resolution.

The Numbers Game

Consider the stakes: Iran sits on 10% of global oil reserves. Any military conflict could spike energy prices worldwide, affecting everything from gasoline to heating bills. Meanwhile, Iran's nuclear program continues advancing, with enrichment levels creeping toward weapons-grade capability.

The economic implications extend beyond oil. Defense contractors' stocks have already moved on the military buildup news, while regional allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel watch nervously from the sidelines.

The countdown has begun.