Trump Ultimatum to Iran: “Deal or Else,” Says US President

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

President Trump signals he has given Iran an ultimatum amid rising U.S. naval deployment.
Tehran says it is open to talks only on equal terms, not under duress.
Global concerns rise over U.S.–Iran tensions as military assets increase in the Middle East.

U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that he has delivered a Trump ultimatum to Iran, urging Tehran to make a deal with Washington as a large U.S. naval armada heads toward the region. Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump stressed that diplomatic resolution remains preferable, but suggested military options are prepared if negotiations fail.

“Large Armada” Headed Toward Iran, Trump Says

Trump described the U.S. naval presence near Iran as “even larger than what we had in Venezuela” during the operation that saw Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro captured. He declined to discuss specific military plans, saying, “I don’t want to talk about anything having to do with what I’m doing militarily.”

“We have a lot of very big, powerful ships sailing to Iran right now,” Trump said, adding that it “would be great if we didn’t have to use them.”

“Make a Deal” or “We’ll See What Happens”

The President told reporters he hopes a deal with Iran can be reached, but issued a clear ultimatum: “Hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens.”

Asked what message he has shared with Iranian officials, Trump said he instructed them to stop nuclear development and halt the killing of protesters in Iran. He claimed credit for stopping hundreds of executions and urged Tehran to reduce violence against demonstrators.

Iran Open to Talks — With Conditions

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran is willing to negotiate with the U.S. “if they take place on an equal footing, based on mutual interests and mutual respect.” However, Araghchi insisted that Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiation.

He also stated there were no immediate plans to meet U.S. officials, while emphasising that Iran stands ready for both diplomacy and war.

Warship Deployments and Regional Dynamics

The U.S. has been deploying military assets to the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and guided-missile destroyers. Another warship, the USS Delbert D. Black, has been positioned as part of efforts to bolster firepower and defensive capacity near potential hotspots.

Amid rising tensions, regional allies — including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia — have engaged in diplomatic efforts to avert military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Global Views on the Crisis

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain supports preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and is consulting with allies on achieving that goal. He also criticised Iran’s suppression of nationwide protests, calling the killing of demonstrators “grotesque.” Iranian officials have acknowledged thousands of protester deaths, with some rights groups suggesting the toll may be significantly higher.

The situation remains fluid as diplomatic, military, and regional actors navigate one of the most significant U.S.–Iran standoffs in recent years — with the world watching whether the ultimatum leads to talks or escalation.