A new proposal has been submitted to Tehran during the fourth round of talks and both sides express preference for a diplomatic solution. However, significant differences remain
President Donald Trump said the US is close to reaching a nuclear deal with Iran, citing “very serious negotiations” for long-term peace.
Trump made the remarks in Qatar during the second leg of his Gulf tour on Thursday, before heading to the United Arab Emirates, stating that Tehran has “sort of” agreed to the terms.
Trump said “We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace.”
“We’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran,” he said. “I think we’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this.”
Trump said he was basing his optimism on new statements by Iran. “You probably read today the story about Iran. It’s sort of agreed to the terms,” he said.
Trump did not specify which remarks he was referring to, but an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, said in a US media interview this week that Tehran was willing to accept far-reaching curbs on its nuclear programme.
“I want them [Iran] to succeed, I want them to end up being a great country,” Trump added on Thursday, “but they can’t have a nuclear weapon; that’s the only thing, it’s very simple.”
The US and Iran have intensified negotiations, with the fourth round of talks recently held in Oman. A new proposal has been submitted to Tehran during the fourth round of talks and both sides express preference for a diplomatic solution. However, significant differences remain.
Trump and Iranian leaders have made notable statements. Trump described Iran as the “most destructive force” in the Middle East, prompting a strong response from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian accused the US of fueling regional instability and claimed Trump’s goal is to create unrest within Iran.
“Trump thinks he can sanction and threaten us and then talk of human rights. All the crimes and regional instability is caused by them [the United States],” he said. “He wants to create instability inside Iran.”
Meanwhile, Qatar has taken on a key mediating role between the US and Iran. Trump praised Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, saying Iran should thank him for advocating against military action.
Speaking in Doha, Trump said Iran should “say a big thank you” to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who had pressed the US leader to avoid military action. “Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he’s actually fighting for them. He doesn’t want us to do a vicious blow to Iran,” Trump said.
Trump’s three-country tour of the Gulf state region will conclude in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday (local time).
The president did not specify which remarks he was referring to, but an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, said in a US media interview that Tehran was willing to accept far-reaching curbs on its nuclear programme.
Shamkhani told ABC News that Iran would give up stockpiles of highly enriched uranium as part of a deal in which the US lifts sanctions. The latest talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme finished on Sunday, with both sides agreeing to meet again.
US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said they were encouraging, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described them as “difficult but useful”. Trump pulled out of a previous nuclear agreement between Iran and five other world powers in 2018.
He previously warned of possible military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities if the fresh set of talks, which began in April, did not succeed. A senior US official said the latest discussions lasted more than three hours, adding: “Agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through technical elements.
“We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future.”
