President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States and Iran have "sort of" agreed on the terms of a nuclear deal, suggesting a breakthrough may be within reach as high-level negotiations continue across the Gulf. Speaking at a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, Trump described the diplomatic efforts as "very serious negotiations" and reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.
"Iran has sort of agreed to the terms: They're not going to make, I call it, in a friendly way, nuclear dust," Trump said. "We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran."
The president's remarks come amid a renewed push for diplomacy, including back-channel discussions in Oman and public overtures involving both American envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. U.S. officials confirmed that a new proposal had been delivered to Tehran during recent meetings, though key disagreements remain unresolved.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's senior adviser, Ali Shamkhani, told NBC News that Iran is prepared to curtail its uranium enrichment, dismantle its stockpile of weapons-grade material, and allow international inspectors access to its facilities. In return, Tehran is demanding the immediate lifting of all U.S. economic sanctions.
"They can't have a nuclear weapon. That's the only thing. It's very simple," Trump said. "It's not like I have to give you 30 pages worth of details. It is only one sentence. They can't have a nuclear weapon."
At a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, Trump added that Iran "must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons."
Despite the diplomatic language, Trump maintained that military options remain on the table. His "priority is to end conflicts, not start them," he told U.S. troops at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. "But I will never hesitate to wield American power if it's necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners."
In Doha, Trump praised Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for urging restraint and facilitating negotiations. "Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he's actually fighting for them. He doesn't want us to do a vicious blow to Iran," Trump said.
Qatar, which has long played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington, has intensified its involvement in recent weeks. "Our teams are engaged in intensive diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza... and ensure the release of all hostages," Al Thani said during a state dinner Wednesday, adding that U.S. involvement could "catalyse a breakthrough."
On Thursday, Trump traveled to the United Arab Emirates for meetings with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders were expected to discuss regional security and the UAE's push to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. Trump also visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and remarked, "It's beautiful," after removing his shoes and touring the marble structure.
Earlier this week in Saudi Arabia, Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and announced plans to ease U.S. sanctions on Syria. Al-Sharaa, who had previously been imprisoned by U.S. forces and had a $10 million bounty for his capture, was described by Trump as a "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter."
Trump said the decision to lift sanctions followed consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "President Erdogan called me and said, 'Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don't do that, they don't have a chance,'" Trump said. "So, I did it."
