Washington: Amid ongoing tensions with Iran, US President Donald Trump on Thursday put Tehran on a 10-day notice. He also called upon Iran to have a meaningful dialogue to avoid any kind of military conflict in the region.
His statement has come at a time when several US warships, fighter jets, and military personnel are being sent to the region continuously. Among the nuclear warships that the US has sent to the Arabian Sea is USS Abraham Lincoln.
‘Not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran’
“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 as per news agency AFP. He added that the US might have to take a step further” without any agreement. He further said, “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
Trump had earlier in the day, called a key meeting of his top advisors and discussed the Iran crisis. A top US official had earlier warned that the President may strike Tehran “within hours”. The US President had summoned top advisers to discuss the ongoing nuclear crisis with Iran. Two officials familiar with the matter said that Trump was briefed on the nuclear talks, which were held earlier in Geneva.
Earlier this week, the US deployed 50 extra fighter jets, as well as air-to-air refuelling tankers and other aircraft, in the Middle East this week. A second aircraft carrier strike group, USS Gerald R. Ford, is also likely reach the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days.
Increase in tensions between Iran and the US
In recent time the tensions between Washington and Tehran increased further after recent protests across Iran. Protests were held in the country due to several factors, including rise in inflation. With thousands of protesters being killed or dead, and several taken to prison, Trump had warned of severe action in case of harsh punishment against any of the protesters. He later pointed out that Iran has decided to be go lenient, but continued with his pressure tactics. Iran, on the other hand, blamed US and Israel for the protests in its country.