Donald Trump just raised the stakes in the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations with a firm new demand. The president wants Tehran to go beyond words before any deal moves forward.
Donald Trump wants Iran to agree to specific nuclear details, sources say
President Donald Trump demands that Tehran commit to specific nuclear concessions in writing before finalizing a preliminary agreement, ABC News reports. Iranian negotiators previously offered verbal assurances on certain terms related to the nuclear program. Trump decided during a Friday Situation Room meeting that those commitments lacked sufficient strength. Iran has not yet signaled whether it will accept the updated terms.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the administration’s expectations during Senate testimony on Tuesday. “They have to commit to very specific negotiations on highly enriched… uranium,” Rubio stated. He added that Iran must “agree on negotiating severe and long-term limitations and/or cancellation of enrichment activity.” Rubio noted that financial incentives and specific mechanisms could be determined in later rounds.
For weeks, both sides have worked toward a preliminary memorandum of understanding. That framework would formally extend the fragile ceasefire between the two countries. It would also gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and establish a timeline for further nuclear talks. Last week, negotiating teams landed on a draft they believed both leaders could support. That version included a written pledge from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons. However, it lacked specific promises addressing Iran’s broader nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Trump remains cautious about offering major monetary concessions during this phase. Rubio confirmed the administration has not offered to lift sanctions or unfreeze Iranian assets yet. Such measures would only follow Iran’s concrete actions to curb its nuclear program. Trump told ABC News he expects Iran to agree within the week.
Rubio also acknowledged complications within Iran’s internal decision-making process. He noted that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since sustaining injuries during the war. Still, Rubio said “indications” suggest Khamenei is “increasingly engaging at some level” in the negotiations.
