Friday, February 20, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled a potential military escalation in the conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme, stating that he is **“considering” a limited strike on the Islamic Republic if negotiations fail even as Iranian officials say a draft deal between the two nations could be completed in “a matter of days”.
In a series of remarks at the White House on Friday, February 20, 2026, Trump emphasised that military options remain on the table should Tehran reject terms being discussed in recent talks. “The most I can say I am considering it,” he told reporters when asked whether a strike was imminent.
The heightened rhetoric comes amid ongoing negotiations in Switzerland and neighbouring diplomatic engagements, where Iranian officials have suggested that both sides are drafting language for a possible agreement on nuclear restrictions. According to Tehran’s negotiators, a draft proposal would be ready shortly and submitted for further review, although substantive gaps remain.
Trump has repeatedly asserted that Iran must accept stringent limits on its nuclear enrichment capabilities or face consequences. Earlier threats included warnings that “bad things” would follow if no deal materialised within a defined timeframe — initially 10 days, later extended signalling firm U.S. pressure tactics designed to extract concessions.
The president’s comments were set against a backdrop of major U.S. military buildups in the Middle East, including positioning naval forces in the Persian Gulf and around the strategic Strait of Hormuz a clear signal to Tehran of Washington’s readiness to use force if needed. Iran, for its part, has reinforced its own military posture with exercises and diplomatic warnings.
Iranian Foreign Ministry officials have sought to temper expectations of conflict, insisting that negotiations are ongoing and that Tehran’s goal remains a peaceful nuclear programme under international oversight, without abandoning its enrichment rights.
Analysts say that while both nations are signalling firmness, the simultaneous push for negotiation underscores a high-stakes diplomatic moment. A successful deal could ease regional tensions and reduce the risk of military confrontation, but failure or perceived bad faith could trigger a dramatic escalation with far-reaching implications for Middle East stability and global security.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly and will almost certainly remain a central issue for international diplomacy in the coming days and weeks.