Washington/Tehran (AFP): US President Donald Trump has said he is considering a limited military strike on Iran, even as Tehran signalled that a draft nuclear agreement with Washington could be ready within the next few days.
Speaking at the White House, Trump confirmed he was weighing military options after ordering a major naval buildup in the Middle East. The move is aimed at increasing pressure on Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear programme. He recently warned that “bad things” could happen if Tehran failed to agree within a 15-day timeframe.
The statement came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations in Geneva had progressed and that a draft proposal would likely be ready within two to three days. He said the draft would be submitted to US envoy Steve Witkoff after final approval in Tehran.
Araghchi maintained that the talks are focused on ensuring Iran’s nuclear programme remains peaceful. He also stated that US negotiators had not demanded a complete halt to uranium enrichment — a position that differs from repeated public statements by American officials calling for zero enrichment.
Western countries have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes. Iran is also seeking relief from sanctions that have severely impacted its economy and led to recent domestic unrest.
At the same time, military tensions in the region have intensified. The United States has deployed two aircraft carriers, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East. In response, Iranian naval forces have carried out military drills in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the rising tensions and exchange of warnings, Iranian officials say there is no ultimatum and that both sides are interested in reaching a swift agreement. However, with military forces on alert and diplomacy still ongoing, the situation remains uncertain.
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