In a tense interview, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with military action and secondary tariffs if Tehran does not strike a deal with Washington regarding its nuclear programme.
Speaking to NBC News on Sunday (30 March), Trump revealed that officials from both nations were engaged in talks but refrained from providing further details on the negotiations.
"If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump stated emphatically. "But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, I will impose secondary tariffs on them, just as I did four years ago."
This statement is reminiscent of Trump's actions during his first term (2017-2021), when he unilaterally withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, which had been signed between Iran and world powers. The agreement had placed stringent limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but Trump’s withdrawal reignited tensions.
Following this, he reimposed sweeping US sanctions, pushing Tehran to exceed the limits on uranium enrichment stipulated in the agreement.
Despite Trump's warning, Iran has firmly rejected the prospect of a deal under the current terms.
Tehran recently responded via Oman to a letter sent by Trump, urging Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed this through the official IRNA news agency on Thursday.
Western powers have long accused Iran of covertly seeking to develop nuclear weapons by enriching uranium beyond the levels deemed necessary for a civilian energy programme.
Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear ambitions are purely for peaceful energy purposes.
