President Donald Trump has reiterated his preference for a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran, but delivered a sobering ultimatum: strike a meaningful deal soon, or face severe repercussions. Trump emphasized that he'd "rather have a deal" than let conflicts worsen, while cautioning Tehran about an impending "very bad day" if negotiations stall.

US-Iran relations have heated up since late 2025, centered on Tehran's nuclear program and its support for regional militias. Trump, who returned to the presidency after his 2024 victory, has pursued fresh talks to replace the 2015 accord he once abandoned. Preliminary discussions yielded some common ground on core issues, but deep divides persist over uranium limits and ballistic missiles. The US has bolstered its regional forces with naval assets, prompting Iranian vows of retaliation.

Trump's message was direct: Iran must forgo nuclear weapons ambitions for lasting peace. He hinted at a tight timeline—possibly 10 days—for progress, following unmet earlier deadlines. Iran insists it's open to dialogue but rejects "aggression," with officials signaling readiness to defend against strikes while keeping negotiation channels alive.

Russia has warned of escalation risks amid US deployments, while Israel eyes the developments ahead of high-level US talks. A breakthrough could ease oil markets and proxy wars; deadlock might ignite broader conflict involving groups like the Houthis. Stay tuned as Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Israeli leaders this week—outcomes could shift the trajectory fast.