The latest
President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News that Washington and Tehran are nearing an agreement to end the three-month conflict, with Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile at the center of the negotiations.
Trump said the United States would work alongside Iran to remove and destroy highly enriched uranium if a deal is reached. If talks collapse, he said Washington would still ensure the material is secured and eliminated.
“We’ll go with them or without them,” Trump said, adding that Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon “under any circumstances.”
Details
• Trump said the remaining dispute centers on preventing Iran from buying or acquiring a nuclear weapon from abroad, not just developing one domestically.
• He said the two sides are “very close” to signing an agreement, while acknowledging Iranian reservations about some U.S. demands.
• Trump described Iran’s new leadership as “more rational and smarter,” saying Mojtaba Khamenei is involved in decisions surrounding the negotiations.
• He said he would be willing to speak directly with Mojtaba Khamenei but has not had any direct contact with him so far.
• Trump also highlighted U.S. surveillance capabilities, saying America has “cameras in space” capable of tracking activity with extraordinary precision.
• He said U.S. forces will remain deployed across the region for now, arguing that a withdrawal at this stage would be a mistake.
• Trump claimed Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded during the war and said its missile stockpile is only a fraction of what it was before the conflict.
• He added that any future agreement would not immediately unlock frozen Iranian assets, though the issue could be discussed later if Tehran complies with the deal.
What to watch
Trump’s remarks signal growing optimism about the prospects of a deal with Tehran. However, key disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program remain unresolved, leaving open the possibility of either a breakthrough agreement or renewed escalation in the coming weeks.
