February 19, 2026international eventnuclear nonproliferationMiddle East policymilitary forceforeign policynational securitynuclear weapons
Trump issues 10-day ultimatum for Iran nuclear deal
President Donald Trump publicly warned Iran it had 10 to 15 days to reach a nuclear agreement or face military action, threatening "really bad things" if no deal was concluded. The ultimatum came as two U.S. carrier strike groups massed in the Persian Gulf and the USS Gerald R. Ford battle group transited toward the theater. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei rejected the deadline and Tehran threatened retaliation against U.S. bases across the region.