US-Iran Tensions: US President Donald Trump on Friday asserted that he was considering a limited military strike on Iran in the upcoming days. On being asked about the possibilities of a military escalation against Tehran, Trump stated that a strike was possible to push Tehran towards accepting the nuclear deal on the terms of US. His remarks came after the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford was steamed into the Mediterranean. While the US has increased its military deployment in the middle-east region, Tehran has also warned of strong retaliation.
What Did Trump Say?
While addressing the reporters at the White House, Trump asserted that he was considering a military strike to push Iran to sign the deal. "I guess I can say I am considering," the US president told reporters. On being asked about the updates on the deal, he stated that Tehran "better negotiate a fair deal" to avoid escalation in the region, reported Reuters.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump gave Iran a deadline of 10 to 15 days to sign the deal, adding that the country will face "really bad things" in case of disagreement. The recent military deployment from the US in the middle east has fueled fears of a wider war in the region.
Iran's Response
Amid constant pressure from Washington, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday said that a draft would be prepared in next two to three days for top Iranian officials to review. He further stated that more talks with US is expected in the upcoming days; however, he asserted that military action would complicate efforts to reach a deal.
Apart from this, while speaking at the United Nations, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed concerns about increased military activities in middle east. "We encourage both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue to engage in diplomacy in order to settle the differences," Dujarric stated.