Less than two months into President Trump’s term, tensions between Washington and Tehran are escalating—despite both sides continuing to express a desire to reach a nuclear agreement that would ease the situation.
The US administration is increasing economic pressure, emphasizing its desire to minimize Iranian oil exports, with reports surfacing about the possibility of seizing tankers and ships at sea. Additionally, in recent days, there have been claims that President Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader Khamenei, although Iran’s foreign minister denied receiving any such letter. Meanwhile, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) stated that Iran will not wait for a letter and will act in a way that “will leave the United States with no choice but to lift the sanctions.”
The Iranians repeatedly emphasize that they will not accept an agreement under pressure. In a speech before the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and other senior officials, Supreme Leader Khamenei criticized European countries that were part of the nuclear agreement—from which Trump withdrew in May 2018 during his previous term. Khamenei reiterated his position that Western pressure on Iran is not only about the nuclear agreement but also demands that Iran reduce its missile range and limit its diplomatic ties. He made it clear that Iran would not agree to these conditions.
These developments are unfolding against the backdrop of the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, which highlighted Iran’s significant and alarming nuclear progress. The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, stated unequivocally that no non-nuclear state has ever produced such large quantities of enriched uranium at the high level of 60%, and that an agreement is urgently needed to halt its progress. Meanwhile, it was also revealed that during a conversation between Trump and Putin, Moscow was asked to mediate, and indeed, the Russian foreign minister traveled to Tehran—so far without a clear breakthrough.
Given what currently appears to be a deadlock, President Trump’s recent statement that “things will happen” if no agreement is reached stands out, as does his more explicit comment during a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House, where he stated that if Iran does not reach an agreement, Israel will attack. These remarks echo a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel, which claimed that an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is inevitable—an article that appears to be part of the pressure campaign on Tehran.
For their part, the Iranians are demonstrating determination, with military officials issuing threats against Israel in response to its attack this past October and by conducting large-scale military exercises. In the coming days, a joint naval drill between China, Iran, and Russia is also planned.
The bottom line is that tensions are surging, the United States and Iran are not showing any willingness to bridge their differences at this stage, and Trump’s minimum demands do not currently align with Iran’s maximum position.
Less than two months into President Trump’s term, tensions between Washington and Tehran are escalating—despite both sides continuing to express a desire to reach a nuclear agreement that would ease the situation.
The US administration is increasing economic pressure, emphasizing its desire to minimize Iranian oil exports, with reports surfacing about the possibility of seizing tankers and ships at sea. Additionally, in recent days, there have been claims that President Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader Khamenei, although Iran’s foreign minister denied receiving any such letter. Meanwhile, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) stated that Iran will not wait for a letter and will act in a way that “will leave the United States with no choice but to lift the sanctions.”
The Iranians repeatedly emphasize that they will not accept an agreement under pressure. In a speech before the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and other senior officials, Supreme Leader Khamenei criticized European countries that were part of the nuclear agreement—from which Trump withdrew in May 2018 during his previous term. Khamenei reiterated his position that Western pressure on Iran is not only about the nuclear agreement but also demands that Iran reduce its missile range and limit its diplomatic ties. He made it clear that Iran would not agree to these conditions.
These developments are unfolding against the backdrop of the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, which highlighted Iran’s significant and alarming nuclear progress. The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, stated unequivocally that no non-nuclear state has ever produced such large quantities of enriched uranium at the high level of 60%, and that an agreement is urgently needed to halt its progress. Meanwhile, it was also revealed that during a conversation between Trump and Putin, Moscow was asked to mediate, and indeed, the Russian foreign minister traveled to Tehran—so far without a clear breakthrough.
Given what currently appears to be a deadlock, President Trump’s recent statement that “things will happen” if no agreement is reached stands out, as does his more explicit comment during a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House, where he stated that if Iran does not reach an agreement, Israel will attack. These remarks echo a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel, which claimed that an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is inevitable—an article that appears to be part of the pressure campaign on Tehran.
For their part, the Iranians are demonstrating determination, with military officials issuing threats against Israel in response to its attack this past October and by conducting large-scale military exercises. In the coming days, a joint naval drill between China, Iran, and Russia is also planned.
The bottom line is that tensions are surging, the United States and Iran are not showing any willingness to bridge their differences at this stage, and Trump’s minimum demands do not currently align with Iran’s maximum position.