Iran war: Trump says deal ‘largely negotiated’

Trump Iran deal: President claims agreement ‘largely negotiated’ to avert war

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

President Donald Trump said Monday that a deal to prevent war with Iran is “largely negotiated,” marking the first public acknowledgment of direct talks between Washington and Tehran.

The president made the announcement during a White House press conference, revealing that negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks through intermediaries. Trump declined to provide specific details about the terms under discussion.

The revelation comes as tensions escalated following Iran’s announcement that it had begun enriching uranium to 90 percent weapons-grade levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the enrichment increase last week, prompting warnings from European leaders about potential military intervention.

Trump told reporters that both sides recognize the catastrophic consequences of open conflict. “We don’t want to go in there with troops,” the president said. “Nobody wants to see that happen.”

The president indicated that economic sanctions relief could be part of any agreement, though he emphasized that Iran would need to verifiably dismantle its nuclear weapons program. He claimed that multiple countries are serving as intermediaries in the negotiations.

Senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the talks began in late April through Omani and Swiss channels. The discussions intensified after Israel threatened pre-emptive strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi neither confirmed nor denied the negotiations in his weekly press briefing Tuesday. He repeated Tehran’s official position that the country’s nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

European diplomats expressed cautious optimism about the development. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office released a statement supporting diplomatic efforts while maintaining that “all options remain on the table” if talks fail.

The potential breakthrough follows months of escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran. Trump had previously warned that Iran would face “obliteration” if it attacked US interests in the region.

Military analysts warned that any agreement faces significant obstacles. “The verification mechanisms would need to be extraordinarily robust given Iran’s history of concealing nuclear activities,” said retired General Frank McKenzie, former commander of US Central Command.

Israeli officials reacted warily to news of the negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement emphasizing that Israel would not be bound by any agreement that fails to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure completely.

Regional powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates quietly welcomed the diplomatic overture. Both countries have privately expressed concerns about the economic impact of potential conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil supplies pass.

Oil markets responded positively to the news, with Brent crude prices dropping 3.2 percent in Tuesday trading. Analysts at Goldman Sachs reduced their conflict premium estimate by $5 per barrel.

The State Department has dispatched senior envoy Steve Witkoff to the region for follow-up discussions. Witkoff helped negotiate the Abraham Accords during Trump’s first term and maintains contacts across the Middle East.

Background

Trump withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, calling it “the worst deal ever negotiated.” The multilateral agreement had limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Since leaving the deal, Iran has steadily increased uranium enrichment levels while reducing cooperation with international inspectors. The country now possesses an estimated 200 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, enough for several nuclear weapons if further enriched.

Previous diplomatic efforts under the Biden administration collapsed in 2024 after Iran demanded guarantees that future US presidents would not abandon any agreement. European attempts to revive talks through informal channels also failed.

What’s Next

Trump said he expects to announce “something definitive” within two to three weeks, suggesting that technical teams are working through verification details. The president added that any final agreement would need to be approved by Congress, setting up a potential legislative battle in Washington.

Background

The nuclear standoff with Iran has shaped US Middle East policy for over two decades. Iran’s nuclear program began in the 1950s with American assistance under the Atoms for Peace program, but shifted to covert weapons development following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israeli intelligence revealed Iran’s secret nuclear weapons program in 2018, leading to increased international pressure. Multiple Iranian nuclear scientists have been assassinated in recent years, with Tehran blaming Israel for the attacks.

What’s Next

Congressional leaders from both parties have requested classified briefings on the negotiations. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members said they expect administration officials to testify next week about the framework of any potential agreement.

The president faces pressure from hawks within his own party who view any sanctions relief as capitulation. Senator Tom Cotton, who previously advocated military strikes, called for “maximum pressure” to continue until Iran completely abandons its nuclear program.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans to visit Tehran next week to coordinate positions with Iranian officials. The EU has maintained its own sanctions regime separate from American measures.

Regional diplomats say the coming weeks will prove crucial for determining whether economic incentives can overcome decades of mutual mistrust. Qatar and Oman have offered to host direct talks between Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian if negotiators can finalize basic terms.