Trump Says Iran Deal Is Close, Threatens Military Action If Talks Fail

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States is “very close” to reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington will act by force if negotiations collapse.

“We’re very close to having a deal, and if we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it one way or the other. Either way, we win,” Trump said in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker.

The comments came as the administration continues talks aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons after months of conflict, a ceasefire, and rising pressure over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Trump presented the talks as nearing a conclusion, while making clear that military action remains on the table.

“We’re very close. We have a couple of points; they don’t even seem like big points. They’ve conceded the fact that they will not have nuclear weapons,” Trump said.

The central dispute appears to be Iran’s enriched uranium. Trump said that if an agreement is reached, the United States would use American equipment to remove and destroy the nuclear material.

“If we make a deal, we’ll go together. It’ll be our equipment. We’ll take it out and destroy it,” he said.

According to Reuters, the United States has circulated a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency demanding that Iran provide information on bombed nuclear sites and uranium stocks. Reuters reported that Iran has 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, enough for multiple nuclear weapons if enriched further.

Trump said that if Iran refuses to reach an agreement, the United States will use military force.

“If we don’t make a deal, then we’re going to take them out militarily very harshly,” he said.

Asked whether he would unfreeze Iranian assets or lift sanctions up front as part of any deal, Trump answered: “No.”

The statement is likely to be central to how the administration presents any agreement, as Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran should receive relief only after complying with U.S. demands.

Trump also commented on Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying he believes he may know his location and claiming he was badly wounded.

“I don’t want to say whether or not I know where he is, but there’s a good probability that I do. He’s very seriously injured,” Trump said.

Trump framed the confrontation with Iran as limited and different from what he called “endless wars,” saying the current campaign had lasted three months and included periods of ceasefire.

“I had to stop a country — a very powerful, very dangerous country — from having a nuclear weapon because they’d use it,” Trump said. “They’re nuts. They’re crazy people.”

The negotiations now appear to rest on whether Iran agrees to surrender or destroy its enriched uranium under U.S. terms. Trump said the deal remains close, but warned that if Tehran refuses, Washington will move ahead without it.