President Donald Trump said Monday, April 13, 2026, that Iran wants to make a deal to resolve ongoing tensions [1].
The statement comes as the U.S. attempts to navigate stalled nuclear negotiations and manage rising instability in the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2]. A failure to reach an agreement could escalate military tensions in a critical global shipping lane.
Trump said the Iranian government is motivated to reach an arrangement. "Iran wants to make a deal very badly," Trump said [2]. He previously mentioned March 23 that the U.S. had been engaging in "very strong talks" with the country [3].
Despite the openness to negotiation, the president emphasized a non-negotiable condition regarding the Iranian nuclear program. "Iran wants to make a deal, but we will not accept any agreement that allows Tehran to have a nuclear weapon," Trump said [1].
This position reflects a continued U.S. strategy of maximum pressure intended to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. While the administration has signaled a willingness to talk, it remains committed to a framework that ensures Iran cannot maintain or develop a nuclear arsenal [1, 2].
Reports on the president's tone have varied. Some accounts describe the approach as a diplomatic opening for a deal, while other reports suggest a more ominous warning was issued regarding the consequences if a deal is not reached [1, 4].
“"Iran wants to make a deal very badly."”
The administration is employing a 'carrot and stick' diplomatic strategy, signaling a willingness to negotiate while maintaining a rigid red line on nuclear armament. By publicly claiming Iran is eager for a deal, the U.S. attempts to seize the narrative of diplomatic leverage, though the refusal to compromise on nuclear weapons suggests that a comprehensive agreement remains difficult to achieve.
