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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and that Washington is "very close" to reaching a deal with Tehran, according to multiple reports. Speaking at a press availability at the White House, Trump said the next round of peace talks between the two countries could take place as soon as this weekend.

"Very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that. Iran's agreed to that, and they've agreed to it very powerfully," Trump said, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency. He added that Iran has agreed to return the "nuclear dust" — referring to its enriched uranium stockpile — "way underground because of the attack we made with the big two bombers."

Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for a deal, saying "I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran." He noted that if a deal to end the war is signed in Islamabad, he might travel there. He also said he is unsure whether a two-week ceasefire with Iran, set to expire next week, needs to be extended, warning that if no deal is reached, "fighting will resume."

Coverage comparison

The statements were covered by several outlets with varying emphasis. Yonhap News Agency, which filed the most detailed reports, focused on Trump's claim that Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that the two sides are nearing a deal. Al Jazeera's coverage highlighted Trump's remark that Iran wants to make a peace deal "very badly" and noted that any framework hinges on Tehran agreeing never to develop a nuclear weapon. TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported extensively on Trump's openness to direct diplomatic contact with Iran's leadership and his non-negotiable demand that Iran abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

TASS also carried a report from an April 10 interview in which Trump expressed skepticism about Iran's private assurances, saying, "To our face, they're getting rid of all nuclear weapons, everything's gone. And then they go out to the press and say, 'No, we'd like to enrich.'" That report said Trump was not sure "whether or not they tell the truth."

Key claims

  • Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon: Trump made this claim repeatedly, according to Yonhap News Agency. He said Iran has agreed "very powerfully" to forgo nuclear weapons, and he cited a "very powerful statement" from Iran that it will not have nuclear weapons "beyond 20 years." This claim is attributed solely to Trump; Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed such an agreement.
  • The U.S. and Iran are nearing a deal: Trump said "I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," as reported by Yonhap. He said Iran has agreed to "almost everything" and that a deal could lead to lower oil prices, reduced inflation, and stave off a "nuclear holocaust."
  • Next round of talks may take place over the weekend: Asked when the next round of negotiations would occur, Trump said "Probably, maybe over the weekend," according to Yonhap.
  • U.S. demands include surrender of enriched uranium: According to a TASS report citing The New York Post, the talks in Islamabad will focus on U.S. demands that Iran hand over approximately 450 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, fully open the Strait of Hormuz, cease support for regional militias, and dismantle its ballistic missile program. This detail has not been independently confirmed by other outlets.
  • Iran seeks lifting of U.S. sanctions: TASS reported that Iran is seeking the lifting of U.S. sanctions as part of any agreement. This aligns with long-standing Iranian positions but was not detailed in other reports.
  • Iranian officials deny seeking nuclear weapons: TASS noted that Iranian authorities have "repeatedly stated earlier that they do not seek to acquire nuclear weapons," providing context for Trump's statements.

Perspectives

Trump's comments paint an optimistic picture of negotiations, suggesting Iran has made significant concessions. However, his own statements in an earlier interview with The New York Post, as reported by TASS, revealed uncertainty about Iran's sincerity: "We'll find out," he said, and "I don't know whether or not they tell the truth." This tension between public optimism and private skepticism underscores the fragile state of the talks.

Iran's position, based on public statements reported by TASS, emphasizes its right to enrich uranium, which appears to conflict with U.S. demands for dismantlement of its nuclear program. Whether Iran has indeed agreed to forgo nuclear weapons entirely remains unverified by independent sources.

The upcoming talks, reportedly scheduled for the weekend, will be a critical test of whether the two sides can bridge these gaps. No official confirmation from Tehran or Washington has yet been issued regarding the timeline.