Trump to decide on Iran strikes over next 10 days

President Trump said Thursday the outcome of talks with Iran would be decided "over the next, probably, 10 days," warning that "bad things" would happen if the regime does not reach a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear and missile programs.

"We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we're going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days," he said at the inaugural meeting of his "Board of Peace" in Washington, DC.

The president said U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities last June helped stabilize the region and indicated he is prepared to act again if an agreement is not reached.

"Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we're doing. And if they join us, that'll be great. If they don't join us, that'll be great too, but it will be a very different path," he said. "They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region. And they must make a deal or if that doesn't happen … bad things will happen."

The U.S. and Iran held a second round of talks Tuesday in Geneva, and while both sides said some progress had been made, significant divisions remain over key issues.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has expanded its military presence in the region, deploying two aircraft carriers, a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets and additional air defense systems.