Military action looms if Iran fails to meet nuclear demands
- President Trump accused Iran of stalling negotiations for a nuclear deal and stated they must give up any nuclear ambitions.
- Trump and U.S. officials held talks with Iranian representatives, describing the talks as 'positive' and planning further discussions in Rome.
- Hegseth conveyed that military action could be necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons if negotiations fall through.
On April 14, 2025, President Donald Trump accused Iran of deliberately delaying a nuclear deal, stating that they must abandon any aspirations for nuclear weapons or face potential military consequences. During discussions in Oman, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged with a senior Iranian official, leading both sides to describe the talks as 'positive' and 'constructive,' with a follow-up meeting planned in Rome. Trump emphasized the urgency for Iran to act quickly to avoid a harsh response, declaring, 'they're fairly close' to developing a nuclear weapon. This tension reflects ongoing struggles and past negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear ambitions, which had previously seen little progress during the Biden administration and notably regressed after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 international nuclear agreement mandated during Barack Obama's presidency. As discussions continue, Trump reiterated the necessity for Iran to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions, clearly stating military options remain on the table to enforce this stance. Trump's consistent public statements on Iran have highlighted his determination to avoid escalation, preferring diplomatic solutions but warning of readiness to act if necessary. Hegseth, speaking on Fox News, reinforced Trump's position, indicating that the U.S. military is prepared to intervene if diplomatic efforts fail, thus illustrating the precarious balance of power and negotiation between the United States and Iran.