US President Donald Trump said he is considering a limited military strike on Iran after ordering a significant naval buildup in the Middle East to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said, “The most I can say — I am considering it,” when asked whether he was contemplating military action. A day earlier, he warned that “bad things” would happen if Iran failed to reach a deal within a timeline he initially set at 10 days and later extended to 15.
The remarks came after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft proposal for a potential agreement with Washington would be ready within the next “two, three days,” following negotiations in Geneva earlier this week. He said the draft would be submitted after final approval and handed to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Araghchi stated that US negotiators had not demanded a complete halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, contradicting public comments from American officials. He said discussions focused on ensuring that Iran’s nuclear activities, including enrichment, remain peaceful.
However, US officials, including Trump, have repeatedly insisted that Iran must not be allowed to enrich uranium at any level. Western governments accuse Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons — an allegation Iran denies, maintaining that its programme is for civilian purposes.
Iran is pushing for relief from sanctions that have heavily impacted its economy and fueled domestic unrest in recent months.
The two countries held an initial round of talks on February 6 in Oman, marking their first formal engagement since negotiations collapsed during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict last June, when the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Despite diplomatic efforts, tensions remain high. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations warned that US bases and assets in the region would become “legitimate targets” if Washington proceeds with military action.
Meanwhile, the US has reinforced its military presence by deploying the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald Ford to the region. In response, Iranian naval forces have conducted military drills in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi stressed that there was “no ultimatum” in the talks and said both sides were seeking a swift agreement, adding that Tehran has no reason to delay negotiations.