US President Donald Trump seeks nuclear deal with Iran, sends letter to Iranian leader

The interview was taped on Thursday and Trump said he had sent the letter “yesterday,” according to an AP report.

“I’ve written them a letter, saying I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily it’s going to be a terrible thing for them,” the US president said.

“I think they want to get that letter. The other alternative is we have to do something, because you can’t let them have another nuclear weapon.”

The letter seemed to be directed to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has recently opposed negotiations with the US so long as economic sanctions are in force.

However, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York said on Friday that Tehran has not yet received a letter.

Trump said Thursday that there are “two ways” to handle Iran—militarily or through a negotiated deal—stressing that he would prefer diplomacy over conflict.

“I would prefer to make a deal because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people,” Trump said, as his administration navigates growing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump, who withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term, has expressed interest in negotiating a new agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran, with the Kremlin pledging to support diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov held talks with Iranian Ambassador Kazem Jalali on Friday, discussing international efforts to address the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

Recent political shakeups in Iran have bolstered hardliners opposed to re-engaging with the US, as Parliament impeached Economy Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati and Javad Zarif, a longtime advocate of Western diplomacy, stepped down as vice president for strategy.

Amid growing economic turmoil, Iran’s Foreign Ministry released a strategy paper affirming its commitment to political independence, warning that nations relying on security guarantees from global powers are often abandoned at critical moments.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reiterated that Iran would not engage in direct negotiations with Washington while US sanctions remain in place. However, his wording left open the possibility of indirect talks, similar to past efforts between Iran and the Biden administration in Vienna.

Iran and Trump 2.0

Iran’s position has shifted significantly since Trump’s first term. The anti-Israel ‘Axis of Resistance’ has weakened, but Tehran has strengthened ties with Arab neighbors following the 2023 Saudi-Iran rapprochement brokered by China.

Domestically, President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled a willingness to engage with the West to lift sanctions while maintaining a strong military posture. Iranian leaders, including Former Vice President Javad Zarif, have expressed hope for a more “rational” US approach but remain prepared for a return to Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy.

Notably, key hawks from Trump’s first term—John Bolton, Brian Hook, and Mike Pompeo—are absent from his new administration, with their security protections recently revoked. Iranian state media see this as a positive sign of potential change.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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