Trump threatens Iran: US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran of bombings if it does not sign nuclear deal and agree with Washington over its nuclear programme. Trump, who was speaking in a telephone interview with NBC News, confirmed that the US and Iranian officials were in talks; however, he did not provide further details. In what can be termed as an ultimatum to the Islamic Republic, Trump said, "If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before." Notably, after Trump came back to power in the US, his policy of “maximum pressure” on Tehran has kicked in, which saw a freefall of Iran's currency rial.
Trump pulled US out of JCPOA during his first term
Trump, during his first term, pulled the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal with Iran. The US-Iran relations further deteriorated following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in a Baghdad drone strike in January 2020.
Trump sent letter to Iran's supreme leader to 'jumpstart' talks on Tehran's nuclear programme
Earlier, Trump sent a letter to the Iranian supreme leader which was seen as an attempt to jumpstart talks over Tehran's nuclear programme. Trump's letter was handed to Iranian officials by Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati diplomat, while he visited Tehran on March 12, 2025. Trump has sought to launch talks on Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme.
In addition to sanctions, Trump also has suggested that military action against Iran remains a possibility, while emphasising he still believed a new deal could be reached.
Regarding his letter, Trump said, "I've written them a letter saying, I hope you're going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing.”
Iran rejects direct negotiations with US over its nuclear programme
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that the Islamic Republic has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme. President Pezeshkian stressed Iran's response, delivered via the sultanate of Oman, left open the possibility of indirect negotiations with Washington.
“We don't avoid talks; it's the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far,” Pezeshkian said in televised remarks during a Cabinet meeting. “They must prove that they can build trust," the Iranian leader added.
(With agency inputs)