US President Donald Trump today signalled that Washington may be nearing a closure in negotiations with Iran, while simultaneously warning that military options remain available if diplomatic efforts collapse. The remarks come amid intensified backchannel discussions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and growing global attention on the future of US-Iran ties.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Trump said discussions with Iran were moving towards a potentially “very good deal”, while making it clear that the United States would not compromise on preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“The one guarantee that I have is that there will be no nuclear weapons. They’ve agreed to that,” he added.
Trump signals progress in talks
Donald Trump said negotiations were advancing steadily despite being difficult and time-consuming. According to him, the US was gradually securing the commitments it wanted from Iran through continued engagement.
“We are making a great deal. We’re close to a very good deal, and if we can make it good, otherwise we just start up with the Department of War,” Trump said.
He stressed that any final agreement would have one non-negotiable condition: Iran must never possess nuclear weapons capability.
Military option still on table
Even while speaking positively about the negotiations, Trump maintained a hardline posture, indicating that Washington was prepared to pursue stronger action if talks failed to deliver the desired outcome.
He said the United States had already weakened Iran’s military capabilities significantly and claimed military escalation could be avoided only if a workable agreement emerged from the ongoing discussions.
Trump also suggested that a successful deal could immediately improve strategic stability in the region, including the reopening of crucial maritime routes.
‘Very tough negotiators’
Calling the negotiations complex, Trump remarked that Iranian negotiators were difficult counterparts and cautioned against rushing the process.
“We’re getting what we want slowly. Very tough negotiators. It takes a long time. I’m in no hurry,” he said, adding that hurried diplomacy often produces weak agreements.
He reiterated that Washington would eventually choose a different course if negotiations stalled or failed to meet American expectations.
“Slowly but surely we’re getting what we want, and if we don’t get what we want, we’re going to end it a different way,” Trump stated.
Trump seeks changes in deal during Situation Room meeting
The remarks came as reports emerged that Trump had asked his team to revise parts of a proposed framework discussed between US and Iranian officials.
According to Axios, Trump pushed for stronger clauses relating to Iran’s nuclear material and uranium stockpile during a Situation Room meeting with senior administration officials. The reported revisions have triggered another round of exchanges between both sides.
The report said the current draft includes Iran’s assurance against pursuing nuclear weapons but leaves several critical issues unresolved, including limits on uranium enrichment and the handling of enriched nuclear material.