Scoop: Trump's letter to Iran included 2-month deadline for new nuclear deal
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the public at a program in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 17. Photo: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images
President Trump's letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei included a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear deal, one U.S. official and two sources briefed on the letter told Axios.
Why it matters: It isn't clear whether the two-month clock begins from the time the letter was delivered or from when negotiations start. But if Iran rejects Trump's outreach and doesn't negotiate, the chances of U.S. or Israeli military action against Iran's nuclear facilities would dramatically increase.
The big picture: Iran's nuclear program has advanced over the past four years and it is closer than ever to producing a nuclear weapon.
- Its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium is enough for six nuclear bombs if enriched to 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Iran has denied it is pursuing nuclear weapons.
Catch up quick: Two weeks ago in an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, Trump revealed that he sent a letter to the Iranian leader proposing direct negotiations.
- A day later Trump said the U.S. is "down to the final moments" with Iran.
- "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.
- The letter was delivered a few days ago by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to the president of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) in a meeting in Abu Dhabi.
- A day later, MBZ's envoy Anwar Gargash traveled to Tehran and gave the letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Behind the scenes: The sources said Trump's letter to Khamenei was "tough." On the one hand, it proposed negotiations on a new nuclear deal, but on the other hand warned of consequences if Iran rejects the offer and continues to push forward with its nuclear program.
- Trump said in the letter that he doesn't want open-ended negotiations and mentioned a two-month period for getting a deal, two sources said.
- Before the letter was delivered to the Iranians, the White House briefed several U.S. allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, about its contents, a U.S. official and a source with knowledge told Axios.
- The White House declined to comment. The Iranian mission to the UN did not respond to requests for comment.
What they're saying: Last week, Khamenei called Trump's letter and his proposal for negotiations "a deception" that is only meant to create the impression that Iran refuses to negotiate.
- Khamenei said he didn't support negotiations with the U.S., but several hours later, the Iranian mission to the UN issued a statement on X and didn't rule out negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over the nuclear program.
- "If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran's nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration," it said in the statement.
- The Iranian mission to the UN added however that if the aim of the talks is "the dismantlement of Iran's peaceful nuclear program to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place."
What to watch: Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a briefing with reporters earlier this week that Trump's letter is still being studied and Iran's response is being drafted.
- Trump said on Monday that the U.S. will consider any further attacks by the Houthis in Yemen as emanating from Iran and threatened the Iranian government with "dire consequences." Iran has said it doesn't control the Houthis.
- In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said there are reports that Iran is reducing its military support for the Houthis but "they are still sending large levels of Supplies." He reiterated his call for Iran to stop supplying the Houthis.
- Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday that Iran needs to "hand over and give up" all elements of its nuclear program, including missiles, weaponization and enrichment of uranium, "or they can face a whole series of other consequences," adding, "Iran has been offered a way out of this."
