In a striking development during his Middle East tour, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States and Iran have “sort of” agreed on the basic terms for a new nuclear agreement, raising hopes that a long-stalled diplomatic accord may be nearing completion. Speaking at a business roundtable in Doha, Trump characterized the negotiations—led by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—as “very serious” and aimed at establishing “long-term peace.”
Progress in Indirect Talks
Trump’s comments reflect the progress made during recent indirect talks mediated by Oman and Qatar. According to senior Iranian adviser Ali Shamkhani, Tehran has signalled willingness to reduce its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium—material that can be weaponized—and limit future enrichment levels to those needed for civilian energy purposes. Iran has also indicated openness to enhanced inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In return, Iranian officials insist on the immediate lifting of all U.S. economic sanctions.
Simple Terms, High Stakes
“Iran has sort of agreed to the terms—they’re not going to make, I call it, in a friendly way, nuclear dust,” Trump said, using his own cheeky terminology to describe restrictions on Iran’s ability to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. “We’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran.” The president emphasized that his key demand is straightforward: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s the only thing. It’s very simple.”
Military Option Remains on the Table
Despite the diplomatic momentum, Trump reiterated that military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains a contingency if negotiations collapse. “I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners,” he told U.S. troops at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, underscoring that “ending conflicts, not starting them” is his priority—though he warned that threats alone might not suffice to deter Tehran.
Regional Diplomacy and Economic Outreach
Trump’s remarks came midway through a four-day swing through key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. He used the platform in Doha to praise Qatar’s economic development, hold talks on artificial-intelligence collaboration, and urge host nations to press Iran toward a deal. He then traveled to Abu Dhabi, where he visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and will receive a state banquet hosted by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Revisiting Syria and Sanctions Relief
Earlier in the trip, Trump held an unprecedented meeting with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, announcing the cessation of U.S. sanctions on Syria to offer “a fresh start” and strengthen cooperation against extremist groups. Trump praised al-Sharaa—a former U.S. detainee turned rebel leader—as a “tough guy with a very strong past.” That move deepened a rift with Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had cautioned against lifting sanctions on Damascus amid ongoing concerns over Iranian influence in Syria.
Key Deal Terms Under Discussion
While details remain scant, U.S. and Iranian negotiators reportedly differ on several points:
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- Enrichment Levels: Iran seeks the right to enrich to low, reactor-grade levels (3–5 percent), mirroring the 2015 JCPOA limits, whereas the U.S. demands stricter caps and phased reductions.
- Stockpile Size: Tehran is prepared to reduce its current holdings of up to 60 percent enriched uranium, but insists on preserving a minimum stockpile for civilian research reactors.
- Sanctions Relief: Iran demands immediate lifting of energy, financial and oil-export sanctions, a position Trump must reconcile with Congressional and allied concerns over verification.
- Inspections: Iran has agreed to grant the IAEA broader access to nuclear sites but resists “any-time, anywhere” inspections that might extend to military facilities.
International Reactions
Global oil markets responded swiftly, with Brent crude prices falling over 3 percent following Trump’s announcement, as traders bet that a deal would ease Middle East energy risks. Gulf leaders cautiously welcomed the prospect of a diplomatic resolution, while European powers—keen to salvage the 2015 accord—reiterated their support for a comprehensive agreement that addresses regional security. Conversely, hardliners in Tehran dismissed the notion of surrendering nuclear sovereignty, warning that any deal must respect Iran’s “inviolable” enrichment rights enshrined in its constitution.
Political Fallout in Washington
Back in the U.S., Trump’s declaration has drawn mixed responses. His Republican allies lauded the prospect of curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions without resorting to war. Some Democrats and foreign-policy experts, however, cautioned that the vagueness of “sort of” invites uncertainty over enforcement. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged a detailed framework to be presented to Congress for review, warning that “we cannot afford another vague nuclear pact that lacks stringent inspections and snap-back sanctions.”
The Road Ahead
U.S. and Iranian teams are expected to reconvene in Muscat, Oman, later this month for technical talks aimed at ironing out remaining details. President Trump has set an informal deadline of two months to finalize an accord, though diplomats caution that congressional consultations, allied buy-in and verification mechanisms could extend negotiations well into the summer. Meanwhile, the looming possibility of a U.S. unilateral military strike remains a powerful incentive for both sides to clinch a deal. South China Morning PostReuters
Conclusion
From Doha to Abu Dhabi, President Trump’s Middle East tour has blended economic outreach, symbolic diplomacy and a renewed push for nuclear diplomacy with Iran. His assertion that Tehran has “sort of” agreed to the deal’s fundamental terms injects fresh optimism into a process that floundered under previous administrations. Yet, the simplicity of “no nuclear weapon” belies the complexity of nuclear diplomacy, where enrichment percentages, inspection rights and sanction relief require painstaking detail. As negotiators return to the table, the world watches to see if Trump’s tight timeline and military backstop can deliver a durable agreement—or whether “sort of” will prove too imprecise for the rigors of international law and verification.
