Key facts
- President Donald Trump stated the U.S. will either reach a deal with Iran or "finish the job."
- Trump is not satisfied with Iran's current offers for a deal.
- Iranian state television reported a draft agreement, which the White House denied as a "complete fabrication."
- Trump suggested a deal could be linked to Saudi Arabia and other countries normalizing ties with Israel.
- A potential deal might defer discussions on Iran's enriched uranium stocks.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will either finalize a deal with Iran or "finish the job," indicating that Iran is keen on reaching an agreement. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, Trump expressed that he is not yet satisfied with Tehran's offers, despite Iranian state television reporting details of a purported draft agreement. The White House, however, dismissed these reports as a "complete fabrication."
Trump stated that Iran "want[s] very much to make a deal," but added, "So far they haven't gotten there. We're not satisfied with it, but we will be." He also suggested that a deal might be contingent on Saudi Arabia and other countries signing the Abraham Accords, which normalize ties with Israel. "I'm not sure we should make the deal if they don't sign," Trump said.
Regarding Iran's nuclear program, Trump indicated he might accept a deal that postpones discussions on enriched uranium stocks in favor of an immediate memorandum of understanding. He also stated he would not be comfortable with Russia or China acquiring Iran's uranium. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had previously warned that Iran's coast would become a "graveyard for the aggressors" if U.S. and Israeli military operations resumed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that there had been "some progress and some interest" in the talks, adding, "We'll see over the next few hours and days whether progress can be made."