President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States is close to a deal with Iran after weeks of military pressure and economic strain.
Speaking outside the White House, Trump said Iran has accepted Washington’s core demand that it will never obtain a nuclear weapon. “We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
“They’ve totally agreed to that. They’ve agreed to almost everything,” Trump said. “They’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”
Trump also claimed Iran has agreed to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, including material buried after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. “They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust,” he said, describing uranium hidden deep underground after earlier military action.
However, those claims have not been publicly confirmed. The New York Post reported it could not independently verify whether Iran has agreed to surrender its uranium or under what conditions.
The president said the negotiations are moving quickly and suggested a deal could be finalized in the coming days. “We’re very close to making a deal with Iran,” Trump said, adding that talks could resume as soon as this weekend.
Pakistan is expected to host the next round of negotiations, as its government works to bring both sides together. Trump said he would consider traveling there himself if an agreement is reached. “I would go to Pakistan,” he said. “If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go. They want me.”
Pakistani officials have been engaged in shuttle diplomacy across the region, meeting with leaders in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to help move talks forward.
The push for an agreement comes after weeks of escalating conflict and economic pressure. The United States recently imposed a blockade targeting key Iranian shipping routes, including the critical Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global oil supply.
Officials believe the blockade has played a major role in bringing Iran back to the negotiating table. Trump pointed to the move as a turning point, saying it has severely limited Iran’s ability to conduct business.
“The blockade is incredible. They’re not doing any business,” he said, adding that the pressure campaign “is holding up very strong” as negotiations continue.
The broader conflict has driven up global energy prices, with oil climbing above $100 per barrel and U.S. gas prices rising past $4 per gallon at one point. Trump said a final agreement could reverse that trend and stabilize markets.
“I think if it happens it’ll be announced fairly soon and it will give us free oil and free Hormuz Strait,” he said, adding that energy prices could drop below previous levels.
An initial round of talks held in Pakistan last weekend did not produce a breakthrough after more than 20 hours of discussions. Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation during those negotiations.
A temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in place but is set to expire next week. Trump indicated it may not need to be extended if a deal is reached in time. “I’m not sure it needs to be extended,” he said. “Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them.”
At the same time, he warned that failure to reach an agreement could quickly lead to renewed conflict. “If there’s no deal, fighting will resume,” Trump said.
Trump made clear he is focused on securing a lasting agreement rather than a temporary fix. “I could make a little deal, but I don’t want to do that,” he said. “I want to get it done.”
While negotiations appear to be advancing, key details remain unresolved and Iran has yet to confirm the concessions described by the president.