Former President Donald Trump said the U.S. will either reach a deal with Iran or "finish the job" [1].

This ultimatum signals a potential escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran at a volatile moment for the Iranian leadership. The threat of military action comes as the U.S. evaluates the viability of nuclear negotiations amid a shifting political landscape in the Middle East.

Trump made the statement Monday, July 6 [1], in Washington. The remarks follow the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event that was followed by a defiant posture from Tehran [1], [3].

According to reports, Trump said he was dissatisfied with the current offers for a nuclear deal provided by Iran [1], [3]. The former president indicated that the U.S. is not satisfied with the terms currently on the table, a stance that has led to the renewed threat of force.

"If Iran does not make a deal, we will have to finish the job," Trump said [2].

The rhetoric mirrors previous high-pressure strategies intended to force Iran into a more restrictive nuclear agreement. By framing the situation as a binary choice between a diplomatic settlement and military intervention, Trump is positioning the U.S. to take a harder line against the Iranian government.

Tehran has not officially responded to the latest comments, but the atmosphere remains tense following the transition of power within the Iranian clerical establishment [1], [3].

“"The United States will either reach a deal with Iran or 'finish the job.'"”

The ultimatum reflects a 'maximum pressure' approach to diplomacy, using the threat of military conflict to leverage better terms in nuclear negotiations. Coming immediately after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, these comments target a period of internal transition in Iran, attempting to exploit potential instability or urgency within the Iranian leadership to secure a deal that exceeds previous agreements.