US to Iran: Submit nuclear proposal within 48 hours for Friday talks, or else

2026-02-22 - 20:32

The United States has signaled readiness to hold another round of nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva on Friday—but only if Tehran provides a detailed proposal within the next 48 hours, Axios reported Sunday, citing a senior US official. The official indicated that a concrete Iranian submission could enable "detailed negotiations" toward an agreement, with an interim deal possible before any comprehensive accord. Iran's Response Timeline Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told MS Now on Friday that a proposal was nearly ready and would be handed over once senior Iranian leadership approves. The ultimatum comes amid heightened military posturing, with senior US officials warning this may represent "the final window" before Washington authorizes a large-scale joint military operation with Israel—one potentially targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei directly, according to Axios. Military Buildup The warnings accompany a significant US military buildup in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional fighter jets have already arrived, with the USS Gerald R. Ford en route. Talks resumed this month in Muscat under Omani mediation, followed by a second round in Geneva last Tuesday. US Vice President JD Vance described the Geneva meeting as "productive only in some ways," citing Tehran's refusal to engage on certain Trump administration "red lines," while Araghchi noted a "more constructive" tone. Trump's Deadline President Donald Trump on Thursday set a 10- to 15-day window for negotiations to yield results before military options come into play, reiterating Friday he is considering a limited strike to pressure Iran into a serious agreement. The combined diplomatic and military pressure aims to force a resolution to the long-standing nuclear impasse.