At the first meeting of the Gaza “Board of Peace”, US President Donald Trump urged Iran to join ongoing diplomatic efforts, warning of serious consequences if it refuses.
“Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we're doing,” Trump said. “If they join us, that'll be great. If they don't, that's fine too — but it will be a very different path.”
He added that Iran cannot continue to threaten regional stability and must agree to a deal. “They must make a deal. If that doesn't happen, bad things will happen,” Trump warned.
The remarks signal that Washington is keeping diplomatic options open but is also prepared to escalate pressure if talks fail.
According to Clash Report, US President Donald Trump said the situation could escalate further — but it might not.
“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not,” Trump said, adding that a deal could still be possible. “Maybe we are going to make a deal. You're going to find out over the next probably 10 days,” he said.
Trump on Iran:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 19, 2026
We may have to take it a step further, or we may not.
Maybe we are going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days. pic.twitter.com/zvLfMVLrb2
Trump on Thursday hosted the first meeting of his much-publicised 'Board of Peace' in Washington, positioning it as a new global platform to oversee peace efforts in Gaza and potentially beyond.
Representatives from at least 40 countries, including several heads of state, gathered in Washington for the summit held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a senior U.S. official told NBC News.
Among the leaders attending were Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Argentine President Javier Milei, both considered close allies of Donald Trump.
The event began with songs often played at Trump's campaign rallies, and attendees were given red “USA” hats similar to his signature MAGA caps.
The U.S. delegation included Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner.
Addressing the audience, Trump said the goal of the initiative was simple: “peace.” He described it as “an easy word to say” but “hard to produce,” adding that the effort could become one of the most important initiatives he has been involved in.
NBC reported that Trump announced that the U.S. would contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, an amount he said was small "compared to the cost of war."
He also said that other Board of Peace members had donated roughly $7 billion in total, and that several countries committed to sending troops and police to help stabilize Gaza.
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