BY Rosemary
President Donald Trump warned Friday that limited U.S. military strikes against Iran remain under consideration, even as Tehran’s top diplomat indicated that a draft nuclear agreement could be ready within days following renewed negotiations with Washington.
Asked whether the United States might carry out targeted military action while diplomatic talks continue, Trump said, “I guess I can say I am considering that,” underscoring the dual-track approach his administration has adopted — combining intensified military pressure with a push for concessions at the negotiating table.
The comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran expects to finalize a proposed framework agreement in the “next two to three days.” He said the draft would then be transmitted to U.S. officials for review, potentially paving the way for more substantive negotiations on a final text.
“I don’t think it takes long,” Araghchi said during a television interview. “Perhaps, in a matter of a week or so, we can start real, serious negotiations on the text and come to a conclusion.”
The guarded optimism contrasted sharply with Trump’s warning that military options remain on the table. A day earlier, the president said that 10 to 15 days should be sufficient time for Iran to demonstrate meaningful progress toward a deal, following indirect talks this week in Geneva that produced little visible breakthrough.
Tensions between the two longtime adversaries have escalated in recent weeks as the administration has increased military deployments across the Middle East. U.S. officials have confirmed that additional warships and aircraft are being sent to the region, marking what analysts describe as the largest American military buildup there in decades.
Both Washington and Tehran have signaled readiness for conflict if negotiations collapse.
“We are prepared for war, and we are prepared for peace,” Araghchi said Friday, framing Iran’s posture as defensive but resolute.
The latest round of diplomacy is focused on Iran’s nuclear program, which Western governments suspect is designed to provide the capacity to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently denied that it seeks such weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, including civilian energy production and medical research.
Araghchi said the current discussions revolve around ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, remains peaceful indefinitely. He asserted that American negotiators have not demanded a complete halt to uranium enrichment during the most recent talks — a claim that appeared to contradict public statements by U.S. officials.
In response, a White House official said Trump’s position has been unequivocal: Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, must not have the capacity to build them, and must not enrich uranium. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
Iran has long maintained that negotiations should be confined strictly to its nuclear program and has refused to discuss broader U.S. and Israeli demands that it curb its ballistic missile development or sever ties with armed groups across the region. Those unresolved issues have contributed to years of deadlock in previous attempts to revive or replace earlier nuclear agreements.
Tehran also maintains that it has not been enriching uranium since U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities last June. At the time, Trump said the strikes had “obliterated” key nuclear sites. However, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Iran has barred international inspectors from conducting comprehensive on-site assessments in the aftermath of the attacks, complicating independent verification.
The standoff has unfolded amid heightened regional volatility. Iran recently announced a temporary closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during military exercises, signaling its capacity to disrupt global energy shipments if conflict escalates. The waterway is a critical artery for global oil exports, and any sustained disruption could have far-reaching economic consequences.
For now, both sides appear to be navigating a precarious balance between deterrence and diplomacy. Trump has repeatedly characterized the case as one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges facing his administration, warning that failure to reach an agreement could carry severe consequences.
Araghchi, for his part, suggested that confidence-building measures could be part of a final arrangement. In exchange for sanctions relief, he said, Iran would be prepared to implement steps designed to reassure the international community about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
Whether those assurances will satisfy Washington’s demand for a complete halt to enrichment remains uncertain. With additional U.S. military assets en route to the region and a self-imposed diplomatic timeline narrowing, the coming days may determine whether negotiations gain traction — or whether the crisis veers closer to confrontation.
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