Trump Puts Iran Nuclear Deal in Doubt, Raising Risk of War

By

Amir Daftari is a Newsweek reporter based in London, specializing in global affairs with a focus on the Middle East. He joined Newsweek in 2024 from the United Nations and has previously worked at CNN International. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Amir has received multiple awards for his reporting, including his coverage of the Arab Spring and the 2021 Iranian elections. You can get in touch with Amir by emailing a.daftari@newsweek.com. Languages: English and Farsi

Amir Daftari

News Reporter

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

President Donald Trump has signaled diminishing confidence in reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran, raising new concerns about the possibility of military conflict in the region. In a podcast interview released on Wednesday, Trump said he’s “getting more and more—less confident” about securing a deal.

The remarks come at a sensitive moment, with both nations returning to the negotiating table but casting doubt on each other’s intentions. Though talks are scheduled, mutual distrust and competing demands continue to cloud the path to any lasting agreement.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Iran’s foreign ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

While the United States and Iran have agreed to resume nuclear talks, President Trump’s increasingly doubtful tone and Tehran’s escalating rhetoric are raising concerns about whether diplomacy can succeed.

With American military assets and allies stationed across a volatile region, even the perception of failed negotiations could heighten the risk of miscalculation. The renewed uncertainty marks a critical test of Trump’s foreign policy strategy, especially following his withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term.

What to Know

Trump’s comments on the “Pod Force One” podcast offered a stark contrast to his earlier optimism. Asked if he believed Iran would agree to end uranium enrichment, Trump said, “I did think so, and I’m getting more and more—less confident about it.” On the negotiations, he said: “Something happened to them… I am much less confident of a deal being made.”

Military Options

While saying that the United States will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, Trump said it would be “nicer” to avoid war. Nonetheless, the Pentagon is preparing for alternate scenarios. General Michael Kurilla, the outgoing head of U.S. Central Command, told lawmakers on Tuesday that strike plans had been submitted to the White House in the event negotiations collapse.

Iran Issues Its Own Warnings

Iran continues to say its nuclear activities are focused on peaceful purposes such as energy production. However, Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a pointed threat, warning that Iranian forces would target U.S. bases across the region if hostilities begin. “If a conflict is imposed on us… all U.S. bases are within our reach,” he said.

Trump has continued to press for a tougher nuclear deal, saying that previous frameworks gave Iran too much leeway. Since exiting the 2015 international agreement (JCPOA) in 2018, his administration has sought stricter terms that would impose broader limits on Iran’s nuclear activity—particularly its uranium enrichment—and regional behavior.

What People Are Saying

U.S. President Donald Trump: “I did think so, and I’m getting more and more—less confident about it. It would be nicer to do it without warfare, without people dying.”

Iran Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh: “All U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries.”

What Happens Next

Talks are set to resume later this week, with Trump indicating negotiations could begin Thursday and Iran pointing to Sunday in Oman. Tehran is expected to deliver a counter-proposal to the U.S. offer it previously rejected. While both sides remain at the table, the growing strain and threats of military action have cast a shadow over the talks, raising the possibility that failure could bring the two nations closer to open conflict.

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