Trump Sets Short Deadline Amid Standoff
Former President Donald Trump has indicated the United States is poised to launch military strikes against Iran within days if diplomatic efforts falter. This stark warning follows a tense pause in the US-Iran confrontation, which was briefly eased by Gulf allies who requested more time for Pakistan-brokered negotiations.
Speaking from the White House, Trump revealed he was moments away from authorizing military action when Gulf nations intervened, citing progress in ongoing talks. While he agreed to a temporary halt, he imposed a strict deadline. "I was about an hour away from making a decision," Trump told reporters, adding that he had granted talks "a limited period of time, two or three days, at least" to yield results. He acknowledged the exact timing remained fluid, stating, "It could be Friday, it could be the weekend, it could be early next week." The former president reiterated the US position: "We can't let them have a new nuclear weapon."
A 'Different' Diplomatic Push?
Trump suggested the current diplomatic situation carried more weight than previous failed attempts. "We've had periods of time where we had, we thought, pretty much getting close to making a deal, and it didn't work out. But this is a little bit different," he asserted. He also claimed Iranian leaders were "begging" for an agreement, though he did not provide further details on the source or nature of these alleged signals.
US and Israel Coordinate Readiness
Behind the scenes, military preparations are reportedly well underway. Israeli broadcaster Kan TV, citing a US security official, reported that Washington and Tel Aviv have finalized joint readiness plans for a potential resumption of operations against Iran. The official stated, "The United States and Israel are fully coordinated. Neither side will be surprised if a decision is made to resume the war."
Israel's military has also reportedly bolstered its defensive posture amidst concerns that public discussion of renewed conflict could provoke a preemptive Iranian response. Despite the heightened alert, Israel's Home Front Command announced that civilian defense guidelines would remain unchanged through at least Saturday night. The Israeli government offered no immediate comment on these developments.
Iran Vows 'New Fronts' in Response
Tehran responded to Trump's ultimatum with unequivocal warnings. Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia, speaking to ISNA news agency, declared that any new American attack would be met with a vastly different form of retaliation. "If the enemy acts foolishly, falls into the Israeli trap and commits another aggression, we will open new fronts against them with new methods," Akraminia stated in remarks shared on X.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi echoed this defiant stance, emphasizing the nation's unity and readiness to respond firmly to any military aggression. He also criticized Washington's perceived contradictory posture, noting the US was simultaneously pausing attacks for negotiations while threatening large-scale military action. With a self-imposed deadline, coordinated US-Israeli military readiness, and Iran's warning of escalation, the coming days are critical in determining whether diplomacy prevails or if the conflict enters a new, more dangerous phase.