Trump gives Iran 15 days to strike a deal or ‘bad things will happen’
Financial Times
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
President Trump has set a stark deadline for Iran, giving Tehran just 15 days to negotiate a new deal or face potential consequences described by the President as "bad things." This ultimatum comes amid an unprecedented US military build-up in the Middle East, the largest since the 2003 Iraq invasion. The move escalates tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump signaling that time is running out for Iran to comply with US demands.
The proposed deal would require Iran to significantly curtail its nuclear program and limit its missile technology development. However, this demand goes beyond the terms of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was negotiated by former President Obama. Tehran has rejected the new demands, insisting that they violate the original agreement and undermine Iran's sovereignty. Trump administration officials have warned that failure to reach an agreement within the 15-day window could lead to further economic sanctions or even military action
Verticals
businessfinance
Originally published on Financial Times on 2/19/2026