President Trump told the New York Times that a final-stage nuclear agreement with Iran will be negotiated starting Friday in Switzerland, with a possible 15-20 year suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment. Trump confirmed the deal was reached over objections from Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom he called 'a very difficult guy,' and said Israel should be thankful. He threatened a return to military strikes if no final accord is reached, and said the U.S. could become 'guardian of the Middle East' for 20% of the region's revenues.
President Trump expanded on the terms of a preliminary Iran deal in a New York Times interview published early Monday, setting a timeline for final negotiations and outlining potential outcomes. Trump said negotiations toward a final nuclear accord are expected to begin Friday in Switzerland, with discussions including a possible 15–20 year suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment — a key Israeli demand. He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain 'permanently toll-free,' a condition reportedly secured in the initial U.S.-Iran agreement.
Trump confirmed that the deal framework was reached despite vocal objections from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he criticized directly. 'He's a very difficult guy,' Trump told the Times. He argued Israel should be grateful for the deal, adding: 'If Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn't be around for two hours.' The Prime Minister's Office has not yet responded to this latest round of Trump's remarks.
The president laid out a clear ultimatum if final talks fail: either resume military strikes on Tehran or turn the U.S. into the 'guardian of the Middle East' in exchange for 20% of the region's revenues. The interview deepens Trump's public break with Netanyahu over Iran policy, following days of back-a monitored channel reported by Israeli media.
As The Zioneer reported at 02:11 Jerusalem, Trump had earlier told the Times the deal would keep Hormuz toll-free. This interview adds the timetable, enrichment terms, and the explicit threat to Netanyahu. The White House has not issued an official statement beyond Trump's remarks to the newspaper.
2 developments
- ConfirmedNetanyahu: Iran nuclear deal may be signed in Switzerland as soon as Sunday
- DevelopingTrump tells NYT he may accept 15-year enrichment suspension from Iran; low-level cap permanent
- StrongTrump says Iran will halt fire on Israel for at least a week, warns of 'wipe out' if talks fail
- DevelopingTrump gives Iran 60-day deadline to reach nuclear deal
Source and signal
- Internal intake