The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has affirmed today that Tehran shows a clear interest in reaching a nuclear agreement that avoids bombings of its power plants, in the midst of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that strains global crude oil markets.
The statements, made in Florida, revive hope for de-escalation after four weeks of open conflict between Israel, Iran and their allies.
Negotiating optimism in the midst of tension
Trump made these statements in statements to the press in Florida, where he has extended a previous 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, now giving him five additional days before possible bombings of Iranian power plants. “Iran really wants to reach an agreement,” said the president, who has ordered the postponement of military operations after “productive talks” with Tehran.
The announcement comes in the fourth week of a conflict that has strained global energy markets, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and responding with threats of attacks on infrastructure beyond the Middle East. Trump has revealed that the talks involve “a highly respected man” in the Iranian regime and that there are already “key points of agreement”, including Tehran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.
Key conditions: uranium and end of the nuclear program
The president has been blunt about American demands: “They are not going to have a nuclear weapon, that is number one, two and three,” Trump has repeated, adding that any pact would imply that the United States would directly take charge of Iran’s enriched uranium.
“If we have an agreement with them, it is simple: we will go and take it ourselves,” he declared, insisting that Washington seeks “non-enrichment” and the total elimination of any nuclear possibility in the Islamic Republic.
Although Trump has avoided details about the Iranian interlocutor, he has denied Tehran’s accusations that the statements seek only to calm the oil markets, affirming that the negotiations are real and advanced.
Contradictory reactions and war context
Iran has immediately denied any formal dialogue, with its foreign spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, calling Trump’s words an attempt to influence oil prices and distract from the challenges for the US and Israel. Tehran maintains its stance of not recognizing direct contacts while continuing with missiles against Israel and threats of escalation.
Trump’s optimism contrasts with the recent escalation, which includes Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Iranian bombings in central Israel, in a conflict that has lasted four weeks and affected global energy supplies.
The president has also linked the possible pact to a “serious regime change” in Iran, although without specifying deadlines beyond the five days granted.
