In a significant diplomatic move aimed at reshaping the political and security landscape of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump inaugurated the first meeting of what he called the “Peace Council” in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. This new entity is primarily concerned with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, as well as developing comprehensive strategies for resolving existing international conflicts. The meeting was attended by a broad international audience, including representatives from 47 countries, in addition to the European Union, which participated as an observer.

This event is of exceptional importance given the critical timing of its convening, following a devastating war in the Palestinian territories that left immense destruction of infrastructure and vital facilities. Through this council, the United States seeks to mobilize international efforts to prevent a recurrence of the conflict and secure a stable environment. This reflects a shift in US strategy toward direct and leading involvement in shaping post-war arrangements and attempting to impose a new vision for regional stability.

On the financial front, Trump unveiled massive financial pledges aimed at ensuring the success of the Council's challenging mission. He stated that several countries, mostly from the Gulf region, had committed to providing more than $7 billion specifically for the reconstruction of Gaza. In a move underscoring Washington's significant influence on this issue, the US president announced a $10 billion contribution to the "Peace Council" fund, bringing the total initial funding to approximately $17 billion, although the precise details of the Council's operations and the disbursement of funds remain somewhat unclear.

Regarding the complex security arrangements, the participants discussed ambitious plans that included deploying thousands of troops to form an “international stabilization force” in Gaza to fill the security vacuum, along with establishing a new police force to maintain internal security. The name of Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian National Committee, emerged at the meeting. He was tasked with managing Gaza’s affairs under the direct supervision of the “Peace Council,” indicating the development of a new administrative structure separate from the previous, traditional authorities.

The meeting was not without its sharp geopolitical messages, as Trump used the platform to deliver a stern warning to Tehran amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. Despite the existence of a channel for indirect negotiations, Trump gave the Iranian regime only 10 days to reach a "viable deal," threatening "bad consequences" if it failed to comply, thus placing the region at a critical crossroads between escalation and de-escalation.

It is worth noting that the Council’s organizational structure grants Donald Trump absolute and unprecedented powers; he is the sole president of the Council and has the exclusive right to invite heads of state and government to participate or cancel their membership, reflecting the desire of the American administration to take full control of the political and security initiative in this thorny issue and to direct the international compass according to the American vision.

In a remarkable development and an indication of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded warning to the Iranian leadership, giving them a deadline of no more than ten days to reach what he described as a “viable deal,” otherwise Tehran would be exposed to “bad things” and dire consequences, coinciding with the continued US military buildup in the Middle East region.

Details of the deadline and US threats

President Trump's remarks came during the inaugural meeting of the "Peace Council" in Washington, D.C., where he expressed the difficulty of reaching a quick agreement with Iran, noting that history has proven negotiations with Tehran are not easy. Trump stated clearly, "We have to make a worthwhile deal, or bad things will happen... We may have to go a step further, or we may not. You'll probably find out in the next ten days." This statement has put the region on tenterhooks, awaiting developments in the coming days.

Behind the scenes of the Geneva negotiations and the Iranian position

These threats coincide with the second round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Geneva, which concluded with both sides declaring their intention to continue the dialogue despite the complexities. For its part, Tehran revealed that it had prepared a draft framework to advance these negotiations, while simultaneously maintaining its sovereign right to uranium enrichment, an issue that has long been a stumbling block to international understandings with the Islamic Republic.

General context: Maximum pressure policy

This warning cannot be separated from the general context of US policy towards Iran, which has been characterized by a “maximum pressure” strategy since Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement. Through this strategy, the US administration seeks to force Tehran to sit at the negotiating table under new conditions that address not only the nuclear program, but also the ballistic missile program and Iran’s regional influence, which Tehran rejects outright, considering it an infringement on its national security.

Military buildup and the language of force

To bolster its negotiating position, Washington went beyond diplomatic pronouncements, resorting to a show of military force. Reports confirmed the deployment of an aircraft carrier hundreds of kilometers from the Iranian coast, the dispatch of another carrier to the region, and the deployment of squadrons of advanced warplanes and tens of thousands of troops to surrounding regional bases. This military buildup sends a clear message: the military option remains on the table should diplomacy fail.

The repercussions of this situation on the stability of the region

This escalation is raising widespread concerns both regionally and internationally, as any potential military confrontation, or even the “bad things” Trump has threatened, could destabilize the vital Gulf region, a crucial hub for global energy supplies. Political and economic circles are watching the ten-day deadline with bated breath, as its outcome could shape the relationship between the two countries and the future of security in the Middle East for a long time to come.