'Next 10 days will tell': Trump sets deadline for 'meaningful' Iran deal as US military build-up grows

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on February 19, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

President Donald Trump on Thursday urged Iran to strike a "meaningful" deal as a huge American military build-up takes shape in the Middle East amid US threats of action against its adversary.

"It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Trump told the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace," his initiative to secure stability in Gaza.

He warned that Washington "may have to take it a step further" without any agreement, adding: "You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days."

The remarks came after Trump convened an urgent meeting of his top national security advisers on Wednesday.

Two US officials familiar with the matter told Axios that Trump summoned senior aides to review the status of nuclear talks with Tehran and to discuss possible next steps. The President was briefed on indirect negotiations held earlier this week in Geneva and the growing concern within the administration that diplomacy may be close to collapse.

Sources cited by Axios said the Trump administration is closer to launching a major military operation against Iran than at any point so far, warning that any strike would likely involve a weeks-long campaign rather than a limited or symbolic attack.

In recent weeks, Trump has ordered what officials describe as the largest concentration of US infantry, naval and air power near Iran since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The build-up has included aircraft carriers, heavy bombers, fighter squadrons and air defence systems positioned across the region.

According to Axios, any US military action would resemble a full-scale war more than last month’s limited operation in Venezuela. Several reports also indicated that Israel would likely support the United States in a joint campaign if diplomacy fails.

Trump has demanded sweeping concessions from Tehran on its nuclear activities and ballistic missile programme, demands Iran has repeatedly rejected.