Iran deal prospects will be clear within 10 days , President Donald Trump says as military buildup grows
TOI GLOBAL | Feb 20, 2026, 19:01 IST
Donald Trump and Iran's President
At the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., Donald Trump issued a ten-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States. While diplomatic talks continue following meetings in Geneva, the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea, and a second carrier strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford is moving toward the eastern Mediterranean. Analysts say the deployment provides the U.S. with the capability to launch sustained air operations if necessary.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea, and a second carrier strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford is moving toward the eastern Mediterranean. Analysts say the deployment provides the U.S. with the capability to launch sustained air operations if necessary.
At the first meeting of his newly created Board of Peace in Washington DC, Donald Trump set a ten-day deadline for diplomacy. “Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” he said about Iran’s nuclear program, “but you’re going to find out over the next probably 10 days.” The message was clear: make a deal, or face consequences.However, the military hardware presents a louder narrative.
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has been in the Arabian Sea for almost a month, equipped with F-35 Lightning IIs and F/A-18 Super Hornets. Now, a second strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford the largest aircraft carrier in the world — is heading toward the eastern Mediterranean after being last seen west of Morocco. Having two carrier strike groups near Iran is not just show; it is strategic positioning.
Military analysts say the U.S. can now launch several hundred strike sorties daily for weeks, far exceeding the intensity of the 12-day war last summer, which saw U.S. and Israeli attacks weaken parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The question has shifted from ability to intent.
This diplomatic moment follows talks in Geneva between White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program. Iran has promised to respond in two weeks to U.S. demands to stop enrichment entirely in exchange for lifting sanctions. This timeline almost exactly matches Trump’s ten-day announcement. However, recent events complicate the situation. Last summer, Trump gave himself two weeks to decide about bombing Iran’s underground Fordow facility and ordered strikes within days.
A central concern is the status of about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity. This level puts Iran within technical reach of weapons-grade enrichment if it goes beyond 90%. Although post-war evaluations suggested Iran’s enrichment capacity was reduced, uncertainty about its stockpiled material keeps regional fears high. Theoretically, experts argue that this uranium could be enough for several nuclear weapons if weaponized.
Meanwhile, Israel is urging Washington to look beyond nuclear facilities to Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile, estimated at roughly 2,000 missiles across more than two dozen launch sites. During last summer’s conflict, Iranian missile accuracy reportedly improved, while interception systems struggled to maintain total coverage. Even a small missile volley can overwhelm the most advanced air defense networks.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned this week that U.S. warships could be sent “to the bottom of the sea.” Tehran has told the United Nations that it would consider U.S. bases and assets in the region legitimate targets if attacked, including installations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and potentially more. Satellite imagery shows increased U.S. Patriot air defense deployments at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to U.S. Central Command.
The United Kingdom has reportedly said it will not allow bases like RAF Fairford or Diego Garcia to support B-2 bomber operations. However, British Typhoon jets have been redeployed to Qatar, ready for defensive action if tensions escalate. Even nations hesitant to back offensive moves may find themselves drawn into defensive roles.
It could be leverage a show of force meant to push Tehran into accepting stricter nuclear limits. It could also be contingency planning. Or it might be quiet preparation for a broader aerial campaign targeting not only nuclear sites but also leadership, missile bases, and command networks.Trump’s message is clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. “Bad things will happen,” he warned, if regional stability continues to be in jeopardy. The Board of Peace may be the stage, but the language is unmistakably military.
For now, the next ten days will reveal whether aircraft carriers are used for diplomacy or as the opening act of another conflict in the Middle East.
As the Gerald R. Ford moves east, the world is closely watching.
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has been in the Arabian Sea for almost a month, equipped with F-35 Lightning IIs and F/A-18 Super Hornets. Now, a second strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford the largest aircraft carrier in the world — is heading toward the eastern Mediterranean after being last seen west of Morocco. Having two carrier strike groups near Iran is not just show; it is strategic positioning.
Military analysts say the U.S. can now launch several hundred strike sorties daily for weeks, far exceeding the intensity of the 12-day war last summer, which saw U.S. and Israeli attacks weaken parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The question has shifted from ability to intent.
This diplomatic moment follows talks in Geneva between White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program. Iran has promised to respond in two weeks to U.S. demands to stop enrichment entirely in exchange for lifting sanctions. This timeline almost exactly matches Trump’s ten-day announcement. However, recent events complicate the situation. Last summer, Trump gave himself two weeks to decide about bombing Iran’s underground Fordow facility and ordered strikes within days.
In other words, diplomacy is working under the weight of past actions.
Meanwhile, Israel is urging Washington to look beyond nuclear facilities to Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile, estimated at roughly 2,000 missiles across more than two dozen launch sites. During last summer’s conflict, Iranian missile accuracy reportedly improved, while interception systems struggled to maintain total coverage. Even a small missile volley can overwhelm the most advanced air defense networks.
And Iran is not holding back.
The regional situation is becoming more tense.
What is this military buildup for?
For now, the next ten days will reveal whether aircraft carriers are used for diplomacy or as the opening act of another conflict in the Middle East.
As the Gerald R. Ford moves east, the world is closely watching.