Trump Gives Iran About 10 Days to Make a Deal Before He Decides on Strikes

Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting on February 19, 2026, Trump said he would decide within roughly ten days whether to launch military strikes on Iran or continue negotiations. "You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days," he said, adding, "I would think that will be enough time — 10, 15 days, pretty much, maximum." He framed the choice as binary, saying Iran "must make a deal" or "bad things will happen." The statement followed indirect U.S.-Iranian talks in Geneva earlier in February, after which Iran agreed to submit a written proposal within two weeks addressing American concerns.

A public presidential deadline for a decision on force, announced without a corresponding authorization from Congress, sets the terms of a possible war on the President's own timetable. Oil prices rose after the remarks.

Nine days later, on February 28, U.S. and Israeli forces launched joint strikes on Iran in the operation designated Epic Fury.