The Trump administration has spelt out three conditions that it says cannot be compromised in any future agreement with Iran, signalling a hard line even as diplomatic engagement between the two countries remains underway.
The remarks come amid continuing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, with Washington insisting that any breakthrough will depend on Tehran making significant concessions. While speculation has swirled over a possible interim arrangement, senior US officials stopped short of confirming that any agreement has been finalised.
Speaking at a White House briefing, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump had made his expectations clear. According to him, Iran must hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, abandon any effort to obtain a nuclear weapon and ensure free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The teams have been going back and forth,” Bessent told reporters, referring to the ongoing discussions.
He said Trump had reiterated the administration’s position during a Cabinet meeting a day earlier.
“Iran has to turn over their highly enriched uranium. They cannot pursue a nuclear weapon. And the Strait of Hormuz has to free transit. Navigation of the seas has to be free and open as it was before,” Bessent said.
He added that Trump would not settle for an agreement that failed to meet US expectations. “He’s not going to take a bad deal. He’s going to make a great deal for the American people.”
US declines to confirm reports of tentative agreement
Bessent repeatedly avoided confirming reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran may already have reached a temporary understanding, including a reported extension of a ceasefire arrangement and continued nuclear negotiations.
Pressed by reporters on the status of the talks, he said decisions would ultimately rest with the US President.
“Everything depends on what the president wants to do,” Bessent said.
“It’s always a mistake to get out ahead of the president.”
Sanctions relief linked to Iranian concessions
The Treasury Secretary argued that the administration’s policy of combining economic pressure with the threat of force had succeeded in bringing Iran to the negotiating table.
“President Trump has done something that no other administration is able to do. We have gotten the Iranians to talk about their nuclear program and to perhaps commit to not having one,” he said.
“That has never happened before.”
Bessent also suggested that any discussion on easing sanctions would depend on tangible steps from Tehran.
“Nothing is going to be on the table until we see the Strait of Hormuz open and the Iranians agree that they have to turn over the highly enriched uranium and that they can’t have a nuclear program,” he said.
‘Trump always prefers a peace deal’
While emphasising diplomacy, Bessent warned that military options remained available if negotiations failed to deliver results.
“President Trump always prefers a peace deal,” he said.
However, he added: “If President Trump doesn’t think he can get a peace deal, then kinetic is back.”
Bessent also claimed that pressure exerted by Washington had complicated internal decision-making within Iran’s power structure.
“The Iranian government, such as it is, is three pillars. It is the elected government, it is the IRGC, and it is the clerics, and they are having trouble communicating,” he said.