President Donald Trump said Sunday that a nuclear agreement with Iran is close, though the U.S. is not rushing the process [1, 2].
The statement signals a pivotal moment in Middle East diplomacy, as the administration balances the pursuit of a diplomatic breakthrough against the threat of military escalation.
During a televised interview with Fox News and a separate public address broadcast by La Sexta, Trump said the U.S. is maintaining a steady pace in negotiations [1, 2]. The president's remarks, delivered during a speech lasting approximately 20 minutes [3], emphasized that while a deal is within reach, the U.S. will not be pressured by external timelines.
Trump said the Iranian government is eager to reach a resolution. "Iran is desperately seeking a deal," Trump said [3]. He framed the current diplomatic efforts as the primary means to avoid a broader conflict, though he cautioned that the window for diplomacy is not infinite.
Despite the optimism regarding a potential deal, the president maintained a stern warning about the consequences of a diplomatic failure. He said that if an agreement is not reached, the situation will be resolved through other means. "Otherwise, we will end it militarily," Trump said [1].
This approach reflects a dual-track strategy of high-pressure diplomacy and military deterrence. While some reports suggest the administration is working without haste [1], other accounts indicate that Trump has used ultimatums and shifted deadlines to maintain pressure on Tehran [4].
Trump said the U.S. is prepared to act decisively if negotiations collapse. "In the opposite case, we are going to end it another way," Trump said [3].
“"Iran is desperately seeking a deal,"”
The administration's rhetoric suggests a 'maximum pressure' campaign intended to force Iran into a restrictive nuclear agreement. By publicly contrasting the possibility of a deal with the threat of military action, the U.S. is attempting to leverage Iranian economic and political desperation to secure more favorable terms without appearing rushed or desperate itself.
