On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding a potential agreement between the United States and Iran concerning Tehran's nuclear programme. This announcement comes ahead of anticipated talks scheduled for next week. While President Trump indicated that a formal agreement could be reached during these discussions, he also emphasized that such a document is not strictly necessary. This development follows his recent declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, marking a significant moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
During his remarks, President Trump stated, "The way I look at it, they fought the war. It's done." He suggested that a formal statement from Iran affirming its commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons would be welcome but reiterated that such a promise may not be forthcoming. “We’re going to talk to Iran next week; we may even sign an agreement, though to me, I don't think it's necessary,” he added.
Just a day prior to Trump's comments, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accused the United States of betraying diplomatic efforts by aligning with Israel in its military actions against Iran. This stark statement raised concerns about the potential for further dialogue between the two nations.
President Trump reaffirmed the necessity of US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, claiming they have significantly hampered Tehran’s aspirations for nuclear weapon capability. However, a recent US intelligence assessment suggested that the strikes had only delivered a marginal setback to Iran's nuclear programme. In defense of the President's assertion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that the intelligence reports indicating a mere delay of a few months were preliminary and lacked high confidence.
In a related development, the United States and Israel are actively searching for over 400 kg of enriched uranium believed to be in Iran. This stockpile is sufficient to produce at least ten nuclear bombs and is reportedly enriched to 60 percent—dangerously close to the 90 percent threshold needed for weapons-grade material. Intelligence suggests that Iran may have relocated this uranium and possibly some enrichment equipment to undisclosed locations just before US bombers executed precision strikes on key facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Concerns are mounting regarding the whereabouts of this 'missing' uranium, with US Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials in the Trump administration acknowledging their uncertainty about its location.
In response to the US strikes, Iranian officials have asserted their commitment to continue their nuclear programme. Mohd Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated in a televised address that necessary measures have been implemented to assess the damage and ensure the programme's continuity. "Our strategy is to ensure production is not disrupted," he emphasized, highlighting Tehran’s resolve to proceed with uranium enrichment despite US pressures.
With a ceasefire now established, President Trump is hopeful that there is an opportunity to redefine Iran's nuclear ambitions within acceptable boundaries. Although he did not disclose specific details about the upcoming meeting, he confirmed that discussions between high-ranking officials from both the US and Iranian administrations will occur next week. Trump hinted at the possibility of presenting a newly drafted agreement during these talks.
Earlier this month, President Trump expressed to Fox News his firm stance that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb" and reiterated his eagerness to return to the negotiating table. He also acknowledged that several prominent Iranian leaders, who were killed during the recent airstrikes, would not participate in future discussions.
In light of the ongoing tensions, President Trump articulated a relatively lenient perspective, stating, "Look, it's very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. I want them to be tremendous." He expressed willingness to support Iran’s success and engage in trade, should diplomatic relations improve.
