The latest
Donald Trump offered a calmer version of the Iran deal track in new remarks, saying Washington is “close to reaching an agreement” with Tehran and that nuclear inspections will begin when the time is right.
His comments signal a shift in tone: no rush to return inspectors, no public suggestion of a quick U.S. concession, but a clear insistence that Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump said the Iranians were “lying” when they suggested there was no understanding on the resumption of nuclear inspections. He said inspections in Iran would begin “at the right time.”
Details
• Trump said the United States is “close to reaching an agreement with the Iranians.”
• He added that he expects oil prices to fall below $70 a barrel, suggesting that de-escalation with Iran would ease pressure on energy markets.
• Trump said it is “certain” that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon under any deal.
• He said the Iranians were “lying” about the absence of an understanding on restarting nuclear inspections.
• Trump said nuclear inspections in Iran would begin “at the right time.”
• He added that the United States had “destroyed Iran’s capabilities,” not only its negotiating position.
• Trump also said there was no need to rush the deployment of nuclear inspectors to Iran.
• Iran’s central bank said the United States had agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets in the first phase, with the remainder to be released in later stages.
• Reuters, meanwhile, reported that Trump said any Iranian funds released would remain in U.S.-controlled accounts and would be used for humanitarian purposes, including food and medicine.
• The Associated Press reported that the United States had eased restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to travel to the U.S. two days before its next match.
What to watch
The key issue now is how each side interprets the terms of the deal.
Trump says Iran has accepted long-term nuclear inspections and that the inspectors’ return is a matter of timing. Tehran is presenting a different picture, highlighting the release of frozen assets as an early gain.
That opens three immediate tests: when inspectors enter Iran, how the released funds are managed, and whether U.S. gestures, including the easing of restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, become part of a broader de-escalation climate.
