U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has assured Washington it will neither develop nor acquire nuclear weapons.
Speaking about ongoing negotiations, Trump said the United States and Iran are “very close” to reaching an agreement. He warned that if a satisfactory deal is not achieved, military action could become necessary again. However, he emphasized that Washington is obtaining what it wants from Tehran and is not rushing the process, saying that a successful agreement requires patience. According to Trump, the United States currently holds the stronger negotiating position.
Trump had previously announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened on Friday, but later clarified that the waterway would be opened once a final agreement is signed. He described Iran as being in a difficult position and claimed that its military, naval, and air capabilities had been severely weakened.
In an interview with a U.S. news channel, Trump said he prefers a negotiated settlement over continued conflict, arguing that an agreement would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately and help stabilize the region.
He acknowledged that Iranian negotiators have taken a tough stance, which has slowed progress in the talks. Nevertheless, Trump said Washington is focused on securing long-term results rather than rushing toward a quick deal. He added that while the United States targeted Iranian military leaders and strategic sites, it deliberately avoided completely destroying Iran’s armed forces.
According to Trump, lessons learned from previous conflicts showed that dismantling a country’s entire state structure can lead to prolonged instability. Referring to past experiences in Iraq, he said a different strategy was adopted this time to create conditions for long-term regional stability.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Trump has sought to strengthen the terms of the proposed agreement and has sent a revised framework back to Iran for further consideration.
Officials have not disclosed the exact nature of the changes. However, Axios reported that Trump pushed for tougher provisions on several aspects of the deal, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear materials and activities.
The latest amendments could extend negotiations for several more days before it becomes clear whether the agreement can end the conflict that began after the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.