Ify Okoli
Donald Trump has said Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear
weapons as negotiations between both countries move closer towards a possible
deal.
Speaking during a White House event, Trump insisted that
Iran would never be allowed to possess nuclear arms and claimed Tehran had
already accepted that position during ongoing discussions.
According to the US president, talks between Washington and
Iran have made “very good” progress in recent days, raising hopes of a major
diplomatic breakthrough after years of tension between the two countries.
Trump said the proposed agreement could include Iran
suspending parts of its nuclear programme, while the United States may ease
sanctions placed on the country. Reports in American media also suggest
discussions are taking place over wider regional issues, including the Strait
of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
In an interview with PBS, Trump claimed Iran’s stockpile of
highly enriched uranium would be sent to the United States under the proposed
arrangement. He also suggested that underground nuclear facilities in Iran
could be shut down as part of the agreement.
“We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours,” Trump
said, adding that there was now a strong possibility of reaching a deal.
However, he warned that the United States was prepared to take tougher action
if negotiations failed.
Despite the optimism from Washington, Iranian officials have
not publicly confirmed Trump’s claims or announced any formal agreement.
Analysts say the demands mentioned by Trump would require major concessions
from Iran and could prove difficult for Tehran’s leadership to accept without
significant benefits in return.
The talks appear to have gained momentum following reports
that diplomatic intermediaries, including Pakistan, helped reduce tensions and encourage
fresh dialogue between both sides. Trump recently announced a temporary pause
in measures linked to security operations around the Strait of Hormuz, a move
seen by observers as part of efforts to support negotiations.
Trump also used the opportunity to project confidence about
the talks, saying Iran’s leadership was under pressure and eager to secure an
agreement.
The developments come amid wider international concern over
nuclear tensions in the Middle East. Western governments have long argued that
Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, while Iran has repeatedly insisted its
nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes.
For now, attention remains focused on whether both countries
can turn the current discussions into a formal agreement. Reports suggest Trump
hopes key parts of the negotiations could be completed within days, potentially
ahead of his planned visit to China later this month.
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