Key Points
- Trump calls ongoing negotiations a “real possibility” for agreement.
- Orders pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.
- ‘US would just keep bombing if talks fail.’
- Claims any deal must eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability.
- Proposes US retrieval of Iran’s enriched uranium under deal.
- No direct talks held with Iran’s leadership confirmed.
- Emphasises desire to keep global oil supply stable.
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump said there is a “real possibility” of reaching a deal with Iran and that Tehran is eager to secure an agreement, while reiterating that any failure in negotiations would lead to continued military action.
“All I’m saying is, we are in the throes of a real possibility of making a deal,” Trump said, adding that he believes Iran is interested in reaching an agreement.
He further stated: “If I were a betting man, I’d bet for it. But again, I’m not guaranteeing anything.”
Trump emphasised that any potential agreement would require the complete end of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon. Not even close to it,” he said.
He also suggested that under such a deal, the United States would take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium. “It’s very easy, if we have a deal with them, we’re going down and we’ll take it ourselves,” he added.
Trump told reporters that discussions had been taking place involving his Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who reportedly continued talks into the evening. He said negotiations would continue, though he did not identify any officials representing Tehran.
No direct talks with Iran’s leadership
The US president clarified that Washington has not engaged directly with Iran’s leadership. He also referred to Mojtaba Khamenei, while noting he had not spoken with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Despite signalling diplomatic openness, Trump reiterated a hardline stance if negotiations collapse, warning that the United States would “just keep bombing” if talks fail to produce an agreement.
He also addressed global energy concerns, saying he wants “as much oil in the system as possible,” in reference to recent moves easing sanctions on Iranian oil shipments stranded at sea.
Reports indicate that earlier indirect talks between the US and Iran were mediated through regional intermediaries such as Oman, though the current status of such channels remains unclear. Tehran has denied any formal talks are underway, maintaining that it has not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington, while Iranian military-linked voices have responded critically to Trump’s statements.
IRGC labels Trump ‘deceitful American president’
Iran’s IRGC has termed Trump as a “deceitful American president”, saying his “contradictory behaviour will not make us lose sight of the battlefront”.
This comes after Iran denied any talks with the US have taken place after Trump had earlier claimed “major points of agreement”.
