'Getting close to a deal': Trump on Iran nuclear talks

US President Donald Trump has signalled growing optimism over a possible nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting that an agreement may be within reach and could prevent military conflict. Speaking during his Gulf tour, Trump told reporters in Qatar: “We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran. I think we're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this.” The remarks, which followed a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, immediately triggered a drop in global oil prices, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate both falling more than 3 percent.

Trump credited Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for influencing his approach, saying Iran was “very lucky” to have a leader advocating for peace on its behalf. “He doesn’t want us to do a vicious blow to Iran,” Trump added. The US President also said that new statements from Tehran had given him hope for a diplomatic breakthrough. Although he did not cite specific comments, Iranian national security adviser Ali Shamkhani said in an interview with ABC News that Iran was open to significant curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting US sanctions.

Shamkhani outlined potential concessions, including halting enrichment of uranium beyond civilian levels, surrendering stockpiles of highly enriched material, and allowing international inspectors access to nuclear sites. He also indicated that Iran would be willing to sign an agreement with the Trump administration if sanctions were lifted “immediately.”

This comes after the US and Iran recently held their fourth round of nuclear talks, marking the most extensive engagement since Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord in his previous term. That deal had capped Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent, a level well below the 90 percent needed for weapons-grade material. Currently, Iran enriches uranium to 60 percent, prompting accusations from the West that it is pursuing a nuclear weapon claims Tehran denies.

Despite the positive signs, the US continues to apply economic pressure, announcing fresh sanctions this week targeting Iran’s oil and nuclear sectors. Trump, while expressing his desire for diplomacy, maintained a tough stance, urging nations to fully enforce existing sanctions and calling on Iran to end its support for proxy wars and terror groups. “I want to make a deal with Iran,” he said, “but for that to happen, it must permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”