Trump: Iran Talks Near Breakthrough, Nukes Off Table/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said Thursday that the U.S. and Iran have “sort of” reached consensus on terms for a new nuclear deal, signaling cautious optimism. While no formal agreement has been struck, Trump emphasized Iran’s apparent willingness to limit enrichment and avoid weapons-grade nuclear development. However, military action remains on the table if diplomacy fails.
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks: Quick Looks
- Trump says Iran “sort of” agrees to nuclear deal terms
- Iran reportedly willing to cap uranium enrichment and allow inspectors
- In return, Tehran demands full sanctions relief
- Trump stresses: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon”
- Envoys Steve Witkoff and Abbas Araghchi in “serious” talks
- Trump says military option remains if talks collapse
- President stops at Al-Udeid Air Base to rally U.S. troops
- Visits Abu Dhabi next for final leg of Mideast trip
Deep Look: Trump Hints at Breakthrough in U.S.-Iran Nuclear Negotiations
DOHA, Qatar — May 15, 2025
President Donald Trump declared Thursday that the United States and Iran have “sort of” agreed on the framework for a new nuclear accord, suggesting that a long-elusive breakthrough might be near — though not guaranteed.
“Iran has sort of agreed to the terms,” Trump told reporters during a business roundtable in Doha. “They’re not going to make, I call it, in a friendly way, nuclear dust.”
Trump described the ongoing talks between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as serious and productive, centered on preventing nuclear weapon development and promoting what he called “long-term peace.”
Iran’s Position
In a separate interview with NBC News, Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran is prepared to:
- Eliminate its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium
- Limit future uranium enrichment to civilian levels
- Allow international inspectors to verify compliance
In exchange, Iran wants an immediate lifting of all U.S. sanctions, which have crippled the country’s economy.
Trump, meanwhile, remained firm on the core demand:
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s the only thing. It’s very simple.”
Military Option Still on the Table
Even as he expressed optimism, Trump reiterated that the use of force remains an option if the talks falter. His administration has deployed increased diplomatic pressure through Gulf allies while maintaining a strong military footprint across the region.
During a visit to Al-Udeid Air Base — a key hub for U.S. operations in the Middle East — Trump spoke to American troops, calling them the “greatest fighting force in the history of the world.”
“My priority is to end conflicts, not start them,” he said. “But I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States or our partners.”
Gulf Relations and Regional Strategy
Trump’s current Mideast tour, which included Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and now the United Arab Emirates, has showcased a mix of diplomacy and arms deals.
In Qatar, he secured a $200 billion Boeing jet deal and urged Qatari leaders to leverage their ties with Iran to help broker the nuclear arrangement.
Later Thursday, Trump flew to Abu Dhabi, where he visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and was scheduled for a state dinner hosted by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Syria and Shifting Alliances
Earlier in the week, Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia and announced plans to ease U.S. sanctions on Damascus.
“President Erdogan called me and said, ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance.’ So, I did it,” Trump said, referencing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s request.
The move marks a sharp turnaround. Al-Sharaa, once detained by U.S. forces and linked to al-Qaida, had a $10 million bounty on his head until just months ago. Now, Trump calls him a “tough guy” and a “fighter” worthy of a second chance.
Trump Jabs Biden’s Diplomacy
While traveling between engagements, Trump took a swipe at former President Joe Biden, mocking the 2022 “fist bump” seen between Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“They were starving for love. They gave him a fist bump,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “That’s not what they want. They want to shake his hand.”
