Speaking at the opening session of the Gaza Peace Council in Washington D.C on February 19, Mr. Trump said that negotiations with Tehran are proceeding in a "good" direction, but acknowledged that this is a "difficult issue in history". He reaffirmed his position that Iran "cannot have nuclear weapons".
We must reach a meaningful agreement. Otherwise, bad things will happen. Perhaps we will reach an agreement. You will know in about 10 days," he said.
The statement was made in the context of the US increasing military presence in the Middle East. According to some media outlets, Mr. Trump has been informed of the US military's readiness for a potential attack, which could even take place on February 21.
Previously, negotiations mediated by Oman took place in Geneva (Switzerland) on February 17. Both sides described this as a positive step forward, although no breakthrough has been achieved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's "inherent, unnegotiable and legally binding" right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.
The Wall Street Journal quoted US and foreign officials as saying that Mr. Trump is considering many options, including the possibility of attacking Iranian leaders with the aim of regime change. Other options are said to focus on Tehran's nuclear and missile facilities.
US forces are believed to have deployed 2 aircraft carrier strike groups to the area, along with bombers and 13 destroyers. According to The Wall Street Journal, this is Washington's largest increase in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Previously, the US attacked Iranian nuclear sites in the 12-day air war between Israel and Iran in June 2025.
After this event, Tehran declared that airstrikes would not slow down its nuclear program, affirming that their nuclear activities are entirely for peaceful purposes and rejecting Washington's request to stop uranium enrichment.
On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the US of "playing with fire" and warned that attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities could cause a nuclear disaster.
In an interview with Al Arabiya channel broadcast on February 18, Mr. Lavrov said that Moscow supports Tehran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, and said that the current tension stems from the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2015 during President Trump's first term.
