U.S. seeks Iran nuclear deal while Tehran remains skeptical of Washington’s reliability. (Photo/Gettyimages)
(EPICSTORIAN) — The U.S. has intensified diplomatic efforts to revive nuclear agreement with Iran, with President Donald Trump confirming he sent a direct letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging talks on a new deal.
Trump, speaking to Fox Business, stated, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily or diplomatically. I prefer making a deal.”
This move signals a renewed push for diplomacy amid heightened tensions and ongoing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
U.S. Diplomatic Letter of Nuclear Agreement Proposal to Iran
The letter, reportedly delivered through diplomatic backchannels, aims to reestablish dialogue following the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the U.S. withdrew from in 2018.
Iran’s Response and Khamenei’s Stance
Despite Washington’s outreach, Iran remains skeptical of renewed negotiations. Khamenei, who has historically dismissed direct talks with the U.S. as “not smart,” has not publicly acknowledged receiving the letter.
Iranian officials maintain that any agreement must include the full lifting of sanctions and a guarantee that future administrations will not abandon the pact.
“The U.S. has failed to prove its reliability,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in Tehran. “Without solid guarantees, there is no point in another deal that can be violated at any time.”
Tehran continues to expand its nuclear program, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirming that Iran has enriched uranium close to weapons-grade levels.
Iranian officials insist their nuclear activities remain for peaceful purposes, but Western powers remain unconvinced.
U.S. Strategy and International Reactions
The Biden administration previously attempted to revive the JCPOA through European mediation, but negotiations stalled over disagreements on sanctions relief and Iran’s ballistic missile program.
Now, under Trump’s renewed leadership, Washington appears to be taking a more direct approach.
Foreign policy analysts note that Trump’s letter to Khamenei represents a shift toward high-stakes diplomacy. “This is a clear signal that the U.S. is willing to engage directly with Iran rather than relying on intermediaries,” said Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
While some U.S. allies, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia, remain wary of any renewed engagement with Iran, European nations have cautiously welcomed Washington’s latest diplomatic push.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, urged Tehran to respond constructively, saying, “Diplomacy remains the only viable path to regional stability.”
Challenges and Potential Outcomes
Despite the diplomatic overtures, significant hurdles remain. Iran’s leadership remains deeply distrustful of U.S. intentions, and hardliners in Tehran view Washington’s outreach as a potential trap.
Meanwhile, within the U.S., political divisions could complicate efforts to negotiate a lasting agreement.
Some experts believe the U.S. could pursue an interim deal to halt Iran’s nuclear advancements while broader negotiations continue.
However, without clear concessions from both sides, the likelihood of a breakthrough remains uncertain.
As tensions persist, the world watches closely to see whether diplomacy can succeed where previous efforts have failed.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this renewed push for engagement leads to meaningful progress—or yet another diplomatic deadlock.
