Trump torches Iran's 'terrible' deal from Obama era

Donald Trump expressed a desire to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, emphasizing that Iran "can’t have a nuclear weapon." He sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March 2025, urging talks but warning of military consequences or secondary tariffs if Iran refused. Trump described these talks as a preferable alternative to military action, stating, “I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran.”

He announced direct talks with Iran in Oman on April 7, 2025, calling them “very high level” and warning that Iran would be in “great danger” if the talks failed. Trump also rejected Israeli plans for a strike on Iranian nuclear sites in favor of diplomacy, indicating a shift from his first-term approach to avoid a broader Middle East conflict. Trump’s conditions for a new deal include Iran never developing nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles, ceasing support for terrorist groups, ending threats to Israel, and stopping cyber-attacks and human rights abuses. He has emphasized a “verified nuclear peace agreement” and, according to aides, seeks “full dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program rather than just verification.

Trump has repeatedly stated that prolonged negotiations are not an option, reportedly setting a two-month deadline for a deal in his letter to Khamenei, though the exact timeline remains unclear. Posts on X reflect Trump’s consistent stance that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, with some quoting him saying, “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon,” and warning of “great danger” if talks fail. However, these posts alone are inconclusive without corroborating evidence from primary sources. Trump also criticized the Obama-era deal for giving Iran “a clear path to a nuclear weapon,” aligning with his long-standing view that it was poorly negotiated.