diplomacyMay 23, 2026

Trump says negotiators are getting closer to Iran deal, media interviews show

Summary

He said a final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would ensure that Iran's enriched uranium would be "satisfactorily handled," according to CBS. "I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want," Trump was quoted as saying. Iran, the United States and mediator Pakistan all said on Saturday that progress had been made in talks on ending almost three months of war. Trump said he would discuss the latest Iran draft agreement with advisers on Saturday and might make a decision on whether to resume the war by Sunday, he told Axios in a separate interview. "Either we reach a good deal or I'll blow them to a thousand hells," Trump said, according to Axios. Trump has vacillated between the two poles of diplomacy and military strike since a ceasefire was declared six weeks ago to allow the sides to come to agreement on Iran's nuclear program and on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas supply route now controlled by Tehran. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Perspectives

Iranian Official

Iran has stood firm against U.S. aggression and repeated threats of military strikes, defending its sovereign right to a peaceful nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz amid foreign attempts to dictate terms. Despite Washington's ultimatums and vacillation between diplomacy and war, Tehran joined mediators in noting tangible progress toward ending the imposed conflict on its own terms. Iran will accept no deal that compromises its independence or yields to external coercion.

Israeli

Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat that could enable annihilation of the Jewish state, especially amid Tehran's entrenched proxy networks from Hezbollah to the Houthis that already encircle Israel with constant attack capabilities. Trump's reported stance—demanding a deal that fully neutralizes enriched uranium stockpiles or resuming strikes to prevent a nuclear breakout—aligns with Israel's defensive necessity to secure its survival, particularly with Tehran controlling the Strait of Hormuz. Any agreement must eliminate these risks outright, as partial diplomacy risks leaving proxies and weapons programs intact.

Neutral

Reports from CBS and Axios indicate that U.S. President Trump stated any final agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, ensure satisfactory handling of its enriched uranium, and meet all U.S. demands, with a possible decision on resuming hostilities expected by Sunday. Iran, the United States, and Pakistan reported progress in talks to end nearly three months of war, following a ceasefire declared six weeks earlier to address Iran's nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Western

Western-led talks with Iran, mediated by Pakistan, have advanced toward a final agreement that would neutralize Tehran’s nuclear weapons capability and ensure full oversight of its enriched uranium stockpile. President Trump has made clear that any deal must meet all U.S. and allied strategic objectives, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, or he will authorize precision strikes to eliminate the threat. Following a six-week ceasefire, Washington continues to weigh renewed military action if diplomacy fails to secure these outcomes.

Pro-Peace

Amid nearly three months of conflict that has inflicted severe civilian casualties and humanitarian hardship across the region, U.S. threats to resume strikes risk further devastation and disruption of critical energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran, the United States, and mediator Pakistan reported progress in talks toward a nuclear agreement, ultimatums favoring total concessions or catastrophic military action endanger diplomatic pathways that could spare lives. Sustained negotiations remain the only viable route to de-escalation without additional human cost.

Global South

From a Global South vantage, US demands for total capitulation on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz expose persistent neo-colonial coercion, with Washington threatening renewed strikes to dictate terms rather than respect Tehran’s sovereign control over its resources and security. Pakistan’s mediation underscores non-aligned efforts to broker an end to the conflict, yet highlights the repeated failure of Western-dominated institutions to prevent unilateral aggression or enforce equitable outcomes. Iran’s insistence on dignity amid these talks reflects broader resistance to external dictates that prioritize great-power interests over regional autonomy.

Actors involved

Iran

Sources

currentsapi(Mixed)By SECTIONS Trump says negotiators are getting closer; Media Interviews Show Reuters
He said a final agreement would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would ensure that Iran's enriched uranium would be "satisfactorily handled," according to CBS. "I will only sign a deal where we get everything we want," Trump was quoted as saying. Iran, the United …

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