Axios, the American news website, revealed on Wednesday that a message from U.S. President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei included a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear deal, according to an American official and two sources described as “well-informed.”
According to the site, it remains unclear whether the two-month deadline begins from the time the message was delivered or from the start of negotiations. The report also noted that if Iran rejects Trump’s initiative and refuses to negotiate, the chances of a U.S. or Israeli military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities would significantly increase.
In the same context, two weeks ago, Trump revealed during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News that he had sent a letter to Supreme Leader Khamenei suggesting direct negotiations.
The following day, Trump stated that: “The United States is in the final moments with Iran,” adding, “We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon. Something is going to happen very soon. I prefer to reach a peace agreement over the alternative, but that option will solve the problem.”
According to Axios, sources confirmed that Trump’s message to Khamenei was “stern,” emphasizing the need for negotiations on a new nuclear deal but warning of the consequences if Iran rejects the offer and continues its nuclear program.
Two sources confirmed, according to the same report, that “Trump stated in the letter that he does not want open-ended negotiations and pointed to a two-month deadline for reaching an agreement.” Last week, the Iranian Supreme Leader referred to Trump’s message and the proposal for negotiations as a “trick” designed to create the impression that Iran is unwilling to negotiate.
Additionally, Khamenei had previously declared that he does not support negotiations with the United States. However, just hours later, the Iranian mission to the United Nations issued a statement suggesting that negotiations between Iran and the U.S. regarding the nuclear program could still be considered.
The statement from the Iranian mission to the United Nations noted that: “If the goal of the negotiations is to address concerns regarding any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be considered.”
The mission further added that: “If the purpose of the talks is to dismantle Iran’s peaceful nuclear program under the pretext of achieving what Obama failed to accomplish, such negotiations will never take place.”
It is important to note that Iran’s nuclear program has advanced over the past four years, and it is now described as being “closer than ever to producing a nuclear weapon.” The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium is sufficient to make six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%. However, Iran denies seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
