Trump’s Letter to Iran Reportedly Contained Nuclear Deal Demand With Deadline

President Donald Trump has reportedly delivered a stark ultimatum to Iran’s Supreme Leader, demanding a new nuclear deal within two months.

Quick Takes

Trump reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei recently demanding a new nuclear deal “very soon” with a two-month deadline.
The letter was delivered via UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, with Trump warning of other options if Iran does not comply.
Khamenei dismissed the letter as “a deception,” though Iran’s UN mission later indicated potential openness to discussions.
Iran’s nuclear program has allegedly advanced significantly since Trump withdrew from the 2015 JCPOA, with enough enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further processed.
The White House has briefed key allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE about the letter’s contents.

Trump’s Two-Month Nuclear Ultimatum

President Donald Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei earlier this month regarding negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Now, Axios has reported that the letter demanded new nuclear negotiations with a strict timeline. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes confirmed the communication to The New York Post, stating that Trump had made his intentions clear. The letter, described as “tough” by administration officials, established a two-month deadline for Iran to negotiate restrictions on its nuclear weapons program, though whether this timeline begins from the letter’s delivery or the start of potential talks remains unclear.

The diplomatic communication was delivered through UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, utilizing Middle Eastern diplomatic channels rather than direct contact. Trump’s administration has already reportedly briefed key regional allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE about the letter’s contents and strategic intentions. This approach reflects Trump’s preference for diplomatic pressure backed by the credible threat of force – a continuation of his “maximum pressure” strategy from his first term.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership on Thursday saying he hoped the Islamic Republic, arch foe of longtime U.S. ally Israel, would agree to talk.

"I said I hope you're going to negotiate, because… pic.twitter.com/n7YlmnBIMf

— Voice of America (@VOANews) March 7, 2025

Iran’s Response and Nuclear Capabilities

Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly dismissed Trump’s letter as “a deception,” though Iran’s UN mission has indicated that discussions regarding “any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program may be subject to consideration.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry has stated they are studying the letter carefully before drafting an official response, while maintaining that their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Intelligence reports indicate Iran’s nuclear program has advanced significantly since Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran now possesses enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90% weapons-grade material. This rapid advancement has alarmed US officials and regional allies who view an Iranian nuclear weapon as an existential threat to regional stability.

Diplomatic History and Military Options

The current situation comes after Trump’s 2018 decision to withdraw from the Obama-era nuclear deal, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has steadily violated the deal’s provisions while accusing the United States of untrustworthiness. The relationship has been further strained by allegations that Iran plotted to assassinate Trump during the 2024 campaign season and by Iran’s support for Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Trump has reportedly made it clear that if Iran rejects diplomatic engagement, military options remain on the table. In a recent TV interview, Trump said, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal… I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people.”

Regional Concerns

The confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program comes amid broader concerns about Middle East security. Trump has explicitly warned Iran about its support for Houthi forces attacking shipping in the Red Sea, stating on Truth Social this week that “every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN.”

Khamenei also had harsh words for the US back in February, saying in a statement, “If they threaten us, we will threaten them in return. If they act on their threats, we will act on ours. If they violate the security of our nation, we will, without a doubt, respond in kind.”

As the two-month deadline approaches, regional allies including Israel are watching closely. Israeli officials have long maintained their right to take unilateral action against Iran’s nuclear facilities if necessary. The confrontation represents a critical juncture for both American foreign policy and Middle Eastern security dynamics, with the potential for either diplomatic breakthrough or military escalation as Iran decides how to respond to Trump’s ultimatum.