Trump’s letter to Iran sets 2-month deadline for new nuclear deal: Report

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump’s letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei included a two-month deadline to reach a new nuclear deal, according to a report by Axios.

One US official and two sources briefed on the letter confirmed the timeline, though it remains unclear whether the clock starts from the letter’s delivery or the beginning of negotiations.

The letter was delivered to Khamenei via a diplomatic chain involving Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed Bin Zayed. Witkoff handed the letter to Zayed during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, after which UAE envoy Anwar Gargash traveled to Tehran to deliver it to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Khamenei denounced what he called “bullying tactics” after Trump’s threats. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said earlier this week that the letter is still under review and a response is being drafted.

Trump emphasized his intention to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“We can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. Something is going to happen very soon. I would rather have a peace deal than the other option, but the other option will solve the problem,” he said earlier.

In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Despite complying with the agreement for more than a year after the US withdrawal, Iran gradually reduced its commitments, citing the failure of the deal’s remaining signatories to protect its interests.

The Trump administration has signaled a return to its “maximum pressure” strategy, focusing on stringent sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Trump demanded Wednesday that Iran halt support for Yemen’s Houthis, vowing to “destroy” the group.