Trump suggests deadline given to Iran for deal as US ramps up military pressure

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that the White House has privately communicated a deadline to Iran to reach a deal, while declining to disclose the timing publicly, reported Xinhua.

Asked by reporters at the White House whether Iran had been given a deadline, Trump replied: "Only they know for sure."

When asked about whether the Pentagon had a timeline to reduce the U.S. military presence in the Middle East region, Trump said: "We'll see how it all works out. They have to float someplace, so they might as well float near Iran."

Trump's latest remarks come as Washington increases military pressure on the Middle East nation, where nationwide unrest has erupted since late December 2025.

Trump said Wednesday that a "massive armada," headed by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, is heading toward Iran, and warned that "time is running out" for Tehran to make a deal with the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that Tehran has consistently pursued engagement and dialogue to resolve disputes and is not seeking war. He criticized Western countries, saying their actions show a lack of practical commitment to diplomacy and international law despite their claims.

Iran's approach, he said, is based on "dignity-based diplomacy," engagement within the framework of international law, mutual respect, and refraining from threats or coercion. "Any aggression against the country and its people will be responded to immediately and decisively," he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday in Istanbul that Iran is open to negotiations with the United States, but not under threat.

The U.S. has said a deal with Iran must include a ban on uranium enrichment, removal of already-enriched uranium, a cap on long-range missiles, and a rollback of support for regional proxies -- all conditions Tehran has rejected.