US president Donald Trump has given a deadline of 10 to 15 days to Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program or warned that "really bad things" will happen.
Addressing the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington DC, Trump demanded Iran to reach a "meaningful" agreement with the US amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East.
“It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran – we have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen,” he said.
Tehran vowed to respond “decisively” to any military aggression.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Iran’s permanent mission said it will consider all bases, facilities and assets of the "hostile force" in the region as legitimate targets.The message also added that Iran did not seek tensions and would not initiate war.
Washington and Tehran have been working to resolve a longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, but concluded intensive talks in Geneva this week without a breakthrough.
Tensions between the two sides have mounted in recent weeks, with Iran’s Ayatollah threatening to sink US warships on Tuesday.
Key Points
- Iran tells UN it will respond 'decisively' to military aggression
- Trump says Gloucestershire RAF base could be used to strike Iran
- Trump considering limited strike to force Iran into making deal
- Trump warns of 'bad things' if Iran doesn't make a deal
- Why is the US threatening Iran?
- Trump still weighing strikes, sources say
Comment: If Trump goes to war with Iran, it will be without the American people
04:29 , Shweta SharmaIf, as seems increasingly likely, President Trump decides he’s going to launch a massive bombing campaign against Iran, then he must prepare the citizens of the United States for the gravity of that decision in a televised speech to the nation.
The element of surprise here is not on the table. What is, is a requirement to explain why this dramatic act will be taken and what the likely risks are to American military personnel in the region and to civilians, extending from our allies to the citizens of Iran, hundreds of thousands of whom have recently risked their lives in anti-regime protests.
The cost in blood and treasure will likely be high, the latter including much of the regional oil infrastructure that supports the world’s economies.
If Trump goes to war with Iran, it will be without the American people
Concerns grow in the region as allies warn citizens and bolster forces in the region
03:48 , Shweta SharmaInternational anxiety is mounting as governments move to protect their citizens and reposition military assets amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk urged Polish nationals to leave Iran immediately, warning that the window for evacuation may soon close. “Within a few, a dozen, or even a few dozen hours, the possibility of evacuation will be out of the question,” he said, without elaborating on the specific threat assessment.
Despite the stark warning, the Polish embassy in Tehran does not appear to be drawing down staff for now.
Germany has also taken precautionary steps. The German military said it had relocated “a mid-two digit number of non-mission critical personnel” from a base in northern Iraq due to the deteriorating regional situation and in coordination with partners. However, some troops remain at the multinational camp in Irbil, where they continue training Iraqi forces.
In Washington, the military build-up continues. According to the New York-based The Soufan Center, “another 50 US combat aircraft – F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s – were ordered to the region, supplementing the hundreds deployed to bases in the Arab Gulf states.”
"The deployments reinforce Trump's threat – restated on a nearly daily basis – to proceed with a major air and missile campaign on the regime if talks fail."
UK declines permission to US to use bases for potential strikes on Iran
03:24 , Shweta SharmaThe British government has not granted the US permission to use UK military bases for potential strikes on Iran, according to the BBC.
Washington has previously used RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to launch operations in the Middle East.
But this time, the UK is understood to be withholding approval as US president Donald Trump threatens military action if Iran fails to agree to curb its nuclear activities.
A UK government spokesperson declined to address operational details, saying: “As routine, we do not comment on operational matters.”
However, the government reiterated its position that “Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon” and that it supports an ongoing political process between Washington and Tehran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump explicitly referenced the two UK-linked bases, saying they could be used “in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous regime” if Iran does not strike a deal.
The comments came shortly after Trump criticised prime minister Keir Starmer over the agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back a joint UK-US military base.
According to The Times, the president’s frustration may be linked to Britain’s reluctance to authorise the use of its bases for a strike on Iran.
Under longstanding arrangements, the US must seek UK approval before using British sovereign bases for military operations.
Neither RAF Fairford nor Diego Garcia were used in US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and at the time, UK defence sources said Washington had not requested permission.
Trump considering limited strike to strong-arm Iran into making deal
03:01 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump is reportedly weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran in order to get it to comply with its nuclear demands.
The initial action would not be a full-scale war, but would aim to pressure Tehran into an agreement by targeting a few military or government sites, the Wall Street Journal has said.
The newspaper reported that if Iran still did not make an agreement following the strike, the US would then respond with broader action.
The US president said on Thursday he would give Iran around 10 to 15 days to make a deal on its nuclear programme.
He told reporters on Air Force One: “We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”
Trump warns of 'bad things' if Iran doesn't make a deal
02:56 , Shweta SharmaPresident Donald Trump has warned that Iran has “10 to 15 days” to reach a nuclear deal with Washington, as the US moves additional military assets closer to the Middle East.
At the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington DC, Trump said of negotiations with the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme: “We have to make a meaningful deal – otherwise bad things happen.”
“I believe 10 to 15 days is enough time,” Trump said, signalling impatience with years of stalled negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The talks have remained deadlocked, with Iran refusing to discuss wider US and Israeli demands that it scale back its missile programme and cut ties with armed groups across the region.
The warning comes as an American aircraft carrier and other warships reposition near the region, bolstering Washington’s military options should diplomacy fail.
The USS Gerald R Ford has been sighted near the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea – a move that does not guarantee military action but strengthens the US ability to strike if ordered.
Watch: JD Vance says US is seeking Iran nuclear deal through diplomacy 'or another option'
02:02 , Harriette BoucherA military operation in Iran would likely last several weeks, sources say
01:00 , Harriette BoucherA US military operation in Iran would likely be much bigger than the US and Israel’s attack last year, sources have said.
According to Axios, an attack could last several weeks and have a powerful impact on the Middle East.
The United States’ stand-off with Iran is feared to be close to breaking out into a full-scale war in the region.
Israel launched a 12-day war with Iran in June, and was joined by the US, which bombed the country’s nuclear sites.
‘A thunderpunch to the stomach’: Son of British couple jailed in Iran shocked at severe 10-year sentence
00:00 , Harriette BoucherThe son of a British couple detained in Tehran says the news they have been sentenced to 10 years is “devastating” and came completely out of the blue.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, have spent more than 13 months behind bars in Iran, denied legal representation and subjected to gruelling conditions, according to their family.
But Joe Bennett, Ms Foreman’s son, told The Independent Thursday the severity of the sentence was like a “thunderpunch to the stomach”, coming some four months after they stood trial on disputed espionage charges.
“It’s almost as if we’ve now been given the diagnosis by the doctor,” he said. “When you get a cancer diagnosis, it is a harrowing thing to have to listen to ... but it also means that you can work towards fighting it and getting rid of it and healing.”
‘A thunderpunch’: Son of British couple jailed in Iran shock at 10-year sentence
Donald Trump lays bare 10 day ultimatum to Iran
Thursday 19 February 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump used his platform at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Thursday to brag about bringing ‘peace to the Middle East’ - and threaten Iran with military action.
The US president set a deadline of ten days “to find out” Iran’s fate as he reiterated the regime “cannot have a nuclear weapon” - the key issue in focus for talks in Geneva this week.
Amid a major buildup of US military assets in the Middle East, Trump warned dozens of world leaders that Iran would have to make a “meaningful deal”, or “bad things” would happen.
'Iran is a hot spot right now,' Trump said, but added: 'Good talks are being had.'
'It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran – we have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen.'
Iran tells UN it will respond 'decisively' to military aggression
Thursday 19 February 2026 22:52 , Harriette BoucherIran has told the UN chief that it will respond to any military aggression and will consider all bases, facilities and assets of the "hostile force" in the region as legitimate targets.
In a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, Iran's permanent mission said Donald Trump's rhetoric towards Iran "signals a real risk of military aggression.”
It told Mr Gueterres it would respond "decisively" if subjected to military aggression, but also said it did not seek tensions and would not initiate war.
US forces on standby in the Middle East
Thursday 19 February 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsA growing number of US military assets are in the Middle East or expected to soon arrive in the area in a show of force to cajole Iran into a nuclear deal.
These include:
- The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, spotted this week off Oman.
- The USS Gerald R Ford, spotted this week in the Mediterranean.
- Accompanying strike groups of destroyers and capacity for some 90 aircraft each.
- F-15s, A-10 Warthogs and C-130 transport aircraft in Jordan.
- More than 50 F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets, and KC-135 tankers in the region, according to flight data and a US official.
- B-2 bombers capable of mid-air refuelling over long distances.
- Three Littoral combat ships, and two or three attack submarines.
Trump considering limited strike to strong-arm Iran into making deal
Thursday 19 February 2026 21:39 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump is reportedly weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran in order to get it to comply with its nuclear demands.
The initial action would not be a full-scale war, but would aim to pressure Tehran into an agreement by targeting a few military or government sites, the Wall Street Journal has said.
The newspaper reported that if Iran still did not make an agreement following the strike, the US would then respond with broader action.
The US president said on Thursday he would give Iran around 10 to 15 days to make a deal on its nuclear programme.
He told reporters on Air Force One: “We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”
Iran's deadline on nuclear programme deal extended to 10-15 days
Thursday 19 February 2026 21:07 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to make a deal on its nuclear programme to 10-15 days before he takes action.
He told reporters on Air Force One: “We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”
Earlier on Thursday he set a deadline of ten days “to find out” Iran’s fate as he reiterated the regime “cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
But speaking later, he said: “10-15 days, pretty much maximum.”
Russia urges restraint amid 'unprecedented escalation'
Thursday 19 February 2026 21:00 , Sam RkainaRussia has urged Iran and ‘other parties’ to show restraint, amid growing tensions in the Middle East.
The US has deployed warships near Iran, while also holding talks with Tehran on limiting its nuclear programme.
Russia has a strategic partnership treaty with Iran, although it does not include a mutual defence clause.
A Russian naval corvette conducted manoeuvres with the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Oman this week, according to Russia's Defence Ministry.
“These are planned exercises; they are coordinated in advance,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We call on our Iranian friends and all parties in the region to exercise restraint and caution, and we urge them to prioritize political and diplomatic means in resolving any problems,"
“Right now, we are indeed seeing an unprecedented escalation of tensions in the region.”
Iran-flagged vessel held by Danish authorities
Thursday 19 February 2026 19:55 , Sam RkainaDenmark's maritime authority has detained an Iran-flagged container vessel anchored in the Nordic country's waters.
The ship, using the name "Nora" according to LSEG data, was initially sailing under a flag for Comoros, a country off the coast of East Africa.
But Comoros informed Denmark that the vessel was not found in its registry, the Danish authority said.
“The ship is detained until a flag state can demonstrate to the Danish maritime authority that it is registered and fully certified,” the authority said, adding it would conduct a port state inspection of the vessel before it could be released.
LSEG data show the ‘Nora’ is now under the Iranian flag.
Recap: Trump threatens Iran at Board of Peace summit
Thursday 19 February 2026 19:05 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said this afternoon that the United States had to make a meaningful deal with Iran, or “bad things” would happen.
The US president insisted good talks were still ongoing after negotiations in Geneva concluded without a breakthrough.
But speaking at the inaugural meeting of his so-called Board of Peace on Thursday, he seized the opportunity to threaten Iran with military actions should talks go awry.
“You're going to be finding out over the next, probably 10 days,” he said, setting what appeared to be a new deadline for diplomacy.
Trump met with world leaders at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace on Thursday to announce initial contributions to the rebuilding of Gaza. The Board, controversially, includes Israeli but not Palestinian representatives.
Watch: Trump threatens 'bad things will happen' to Iran
Thursday 19 February 2026 18:30 , Sam RkainaWatch: British couple jailed in Iran living in 'hell on earth', son says
Thursday 19 February 2026 18:04 , James ReynoldsPictures of Trump's Board of Peace event
Thursday 19 February 2026 17:30 , Sam Rkaina
Comment: If Trump goes to war with Iran, it will be without the American people
Thursday 19 February 2026 17:02 , James Reynolds..and that's what an increasingly likely massive strike against the Middle Eastern state would be, warns Warren Getler, and only Congress can approve that. Which is why the US president must come clean with the American public:
If Trump goes to war with Iran, it will be without the American people
Recap: British couple sentenced to ten years in Iranian prison
Thursday 19 February 2026 16:03 , James ReynoldsA British couple detained in Iran since last year have been sentenced to ten years in prison on espionage charges.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested last January while travelling the world and accused of gathering information.
They were sentenced following an October court appearance in which they were not permitted to present a defence.
Family members said no evidence was disclosed at the trial. The Foremans deny the allegations against them.
Ms Foreman told the BBC from Evin prison that they wanted to “exercise their right to be heard” and use Iran’s legal system to show what it was doing was “unfair and unjust”.
“We have done what we can to be respectful of their system, to be patient with the legal process and believing that our innocence will prevail but it doesn't seem to be the case,” she said.
According to the family, the Foremans have been subjected to long periods of solitary confinement, have been delayed access to funds for basic necessities, and have received limited or delayed access to legal representation since they arrived.
The family said they will seek further engagement from the foreign secretary following the verdict. Yvette Cooper said they would pursue the case “pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family”.
Trump still weighing strikes, sources say
Thursday 19 February 2026 15:15 , James ReynoldsTop national security officials have told Trump that the US military is ready to strike Iran - but the president is still deciding how to proceed, sources familiar with talks told CBS News.
A report published on Wednesday cited anonymous officials who described talks as ongoing and fluid. The administration is said to be weighing the relative risks and consequences of escalation.
Axios reported that the US has moved more than 50 F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets to the Middle East this week.
Iran came away from talks in Geneva convinced that a deal was close, but the White House indicated key differences remain.
Trump: We will find out about Iran in about 10 days
Thursday 19 February 2026 15:08 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said this afternoon that the United States had to make a meaningful deal with Iran, or “bad things” would happen.
The US president insisted good talks were still ongoing after negotiations in Geneva concluded without a breakthrough.
But speaking at the inaugural meeting of his so-called Board of Peace on Thursday, he seized the opportunity to threaten Iran with military actions should talks go awry.
“You're going to be finding out over the next, probably 10 days,” he said, setting what appeared to be a new deadline for diplomacy.
Trump met with world leaders at the recently renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace on Thursday to announce initial contributions to the rebuilding of Gaza. The Board, controversially, includes Israeli but not Palestinian representatives.
Trump’s forces build up ahead of potential Iran strike
Thursday 19 February 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsThe US has deployed a growing number of military assets to the Middle East in a show of strength to Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was spotted off the coast of Oman this week and will soon be joined by the world’s largest warship, the $13 billion USS Gerald R Ford.
Further afield, modern and long-distance aircraft open up Washington’s options for strikes.
Flight trackers show the movement of Boeing KC-135 tankers to Europe and the Middle East, which suggest preparedness for longer haul flights.
Here’s how Donald Trump’s is building up military assets in a show of strength to Iran:
F35s to warships: The US military forces gathering ahead of potential Iran strike
From this week: Iran holds military drill in Strait of Hormuz
Thursday 19 February 2026 14:28 , James ReynoldsRussia prepared to take uranium from Iran to secure US nuclear deal
Thursday 19 February 2026 13:56 , James ReynoldsRussia is prepared to accept enriched uranium from Iran if such an agreement were to be reached, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday, citing Alexei Likhachev, CEO of Russian nuclear state corporation Rosatom.
Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that a proposal to remove uranium from Iran as part of a deal to ease US concerns was still on the table, but that it was for Tehran to decide whether or not to remove it.
In pictures: F/A-18 Super Hornets land on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea
Thursday 19 February 2026 13:27 , James Reynolds
Iran expected to make the next move with diplomacy under strain
Thursday 19 February 2026 13:01 , James ReynoldsIran is expected to submit a written proposal on how to avoid its standoff with the United States.
A senior US official told Reuters a proposal was expected on Wednesday, following talks in Geneva earlier this week.
They added that top national security advisors had been briefed that the US would otherwise have all its forces deployed to the region by mid-March.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on the weekend of February 28, the official said.
US is getting closer to war with Iran, Trump sources warn
Thursday 19 February 2026 12:30 , James Reynolds“The boss is getting fed up,” a Trump advisor told Axios as nuclear talks fail to make a breakthrough.
“Some people around him warn him against going to war with Iran, but I think there is 90 per cent chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks.”
Here’s why Trump insiders think strikes are getting closer despite the restarting of talks:
Son of detained British couple in Iran hopes government will act to save them
Thursday 19 February 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsThe son of the British couple sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran says he hopes the UK government will act and use every available avenue to secure their release.
Joe Bennett, the son of Lindsay Foreman, said in a statement on Thursday: “My parents have now been sentenced to ten years following a trial that lasted just three hours and in which they were not allowed to present any defence.
“They have consistently denied the allegations. We have seen no evidence to support the charge of espionage.
“They have already spent more than thirteen months in detention. We are deeply concerned about their welfare and about the lack of transparency in the judicial process.”
“We were previously told that once sentencing occurred, further action would follow. We now hope that the UK Government will act decisively and use every available avenue to secure their release.”
British couple sentenced to ten years in Iranian prison
Thursday 19 February 2026 11:28 , James ReynoldsA British couple detained in Iran since last year have been sentenced to ten years in prison on espionage charges.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested last January while travelling the world and accused of gathering information.
They were sentenced following an October court appearance in which they were not permitted to present a defence.
Family members said no evidence was disclosed at the trial. The Foremans deny the allegations against them.
Ms Foreman told the BBC from Evin prison that they wanted to “exercise their right to be heard” and use Iran’s legal system to show what it was doing was “unfair and unjust”.
“We have done what we can to be respectful of their system, to be patient with the legal process and believing that our innocence will prevail but it doesn't seem to be the case,” she said.
According to the family, the Foremans have been subjected to long periods of solitary confinement, have been delayed access to funds for basic necessities, and have received limited or delayed access to legal representation since they arrived.
The family said they will seek further engagement from the foreign secretary following the verdict. Yvette Cooper said they would pursue the case “pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family”.
In pictures: Russian and Iranian warships patrol the Sea of Oman
Thursday 19 February 2026 11:00 , James Reynolds
Russia urges restraint ahead of joint naval drills with Iran
Thursday 19 February 2026 10:30 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin urged restraint from both sides on Thursday, as it prepared for joint naval drills with Iran in the Sea of Oman.
Moscow said it was developing relations with the regime, while warning Tehran “and other parties” to exercise “restraint and prudence”.
A statement clarified that today’s naval drills were planned well in advance of the current tensions.
Iranian navy commander Hassan Maghsoodloo told Iranian media earlier that the drills would focus on countering “activities threatening maritime security and safety” including “maritime terrorism”.
Iran closes key Strait of Hormuz shipping route
Thursday 19 February 2026 09:59 , James ReynoldsIran temporarily shut part of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route this week to carry out naval drills amid growing tensions with the US.
Tuesday’s move was the first time the waterway had been closed since the 1980s.
One of the world’s most strategically important routes, around 20 per cent of oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Experts have previously warned that closing the Strait could cause a hike in oil prices if fuel is unable to get through.
State media announced it would be partially shut for several hours due to “security precautions” as the Revolutionary Guard carried out military drills.
Iran was today preparing for joint drills with Russia in the Sea of Oman.
Iran struck by earthquake as military threat looms
Thursday 19 February 2026 09:30 , James ReynoldsAn earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck southern Iran, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said on Thursday.
The quake was at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles), GFZ said.
Tusk tells Poles to leave Iran immediately
Thursday 19 February 2026 09:27 , James ReynoldsPolish citizens in Iran should leave immediately, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday, warning that due to the potential for armed conflict evacuation may no longer be possible in a matter of hours.
"Please leave Iran immediately... and do not go to this country under any circumstances," Tusk said.
Trump says Gloucestershire RAF base could be used to strike Iran
Thursday 19 February 2026 09:24 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday that the joint US base at Diego Garcia and the US-operated RAF base at Fairford could be used in strikes against Iran.
Fairford is owned by the British ministry of defence but used by the US Air Force as a bomber forward operating base.
Trump defended the suggestion by arguing that Iran could potentially attack the UK otherwise.
Why is the US threatening Iran?
Thursday 19 February 2026 09:00 , James ReynoldsThe US has threatened Iran with military action since January, as the regime cracked down on anti-government protests sweeping the nation.
Renewed threats followed a warning from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Tehran was reconstituting nuclear facilities bombarded by the United States last summer.
The US and Israel accuse Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons with its enrichment programme, which it denies.
Last year, talks to resolve the dispute broke down when Israel attacked Iran. The US later joined in, striking the major nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.
US intelligence later assessed Iran’s nuclear programme had only been set back by a matter of months. Trump has since refused to rule out more strikes if a diplomatic resolution cannot be reached.
