WASHINGTON – A tense countdown began as US President Donald Trump warned that Iran has only “2 to 3 days” left to reach a nuclear deal.
The behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure has quickly escalated into a high-stakes standoff, with reports of a planned US strike being paused after urgent appeals from key Gulf leaders. Now, with military options still on the table and negotiations hanging in the balance, the world is watching closely to see whether last-minute diplomacy can prevent a new escalation in the region.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump made the situation dramatically clear, stating that the United States “cannot allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons” and that time is rapidly running out.
POTUS said Iran may have “only two or three days left”, possibly until Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or at the very start of next week to reach an agreement.
This comes just one day after Trump revealed he had already made a decision to launch an attack on Iran on Tuesday, only to abruptly postpone it following urgent appeals from key Gulf leaders.
Trump said the intervention came from some of the region’s most powerful figures: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. These leaders reportedly urged Washington to halt the planned strike, warning that diplomatic negotiations were still underway and could produce a breakthrough agreement.
Trump said that, out of respect for their request, he instructed US officials and the military to stand down from the planned operation, for now. However, he warned that this is only a temporary pause, stressing that if negotiations fail, the United States military is ready for “large-scale action at any moment.”
At the heart of the proposed deal, according to Trump, is a firm guarantee that Iran will not be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
Iran refused to confirm reports that Saudi Arabia proposed a formal non-aggression pact. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said he could not verify whether any such specific plan had been put forward.
Global media reported that Saudi Arabia had offered Iran a non-aggression agreement as part of broader regional de-escalation efforts.
Adding to tension, the broader regional backdrop remains highly volatile. It is noted that since the conflict began on February 28, triggered by US and Israeli strikes, Iran has also carried out drone and missile attacks on several neighboring countries.
With diplomacy hanging by a thread and military threats once again on the table, the world is watching closely as the deadline clock ticks down.
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