Trump Sent Letter to Iran Demanding Nuclear Deal With 2-Month Deadline

President Donald Trump recently gave Iran a two-month ultimatum to negotiate a new nuclear deal or face potential military consequences as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Key Insights

Trump’s letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered via UAE diplomats reportedly demanded new nuclear agreement negotiations within two months.
The uncompromising letter reportedly warned of “other ways to resolve the dispute” if not through diplomacy.
Iran reportedly has enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%, escalating concerns about weapons development.
Khamenei called Trump’s proposal “a deception,” although Iran’s mission to the United Nations later expressed an openness to discussions.
US officials allege Iran plotted to assassinate Trump during the 2024 campaign, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Trump’s Ultimatum to Tehran

President Donald Trump sent a direct letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier in March, reportedly demanding a new nuclear agreement within a two-month timeframe. The letter, delivered through diplomatic channels involving the United Arab Emirates, leaves little room for extended negotiations and warns of consequences if Iran continues advancing its nuclear program. Trump’s administration reportedly informed key regional allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE about the letter’s contents before its delivery, signaling a coordinated approach to addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“President Trump made it clear to Ayatollah Khamenei that he wanted to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program diplomatically – and very soon – and if this was not possible, there would be other ways to resolve the dispute,” US National Security Council Brian Hughes said, according to The New York Post.

The diplomatic initiative comes amid heightened tensions following Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018. Since then, the US has maintained a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, imposing severe economic sanctions while Iran has progressively abandoned its commitments under the original nuclear deal. Despite the stern tone, Trump has expressed a preference for diplomatic resolution while maintaining that military options remain on the table.

It’s currently unclear whether the 2-month deadline was set to start after the delivery of the letter or following negotiations.

Trump’s letter to Iran demanded new nuclear deal ‘very soon,’ warned of ‘other ways to resolve’ dispute: WH https://t.co/mhuqwHUijy pic.twitter.com/qqPLlBuU0S

— New York Post (@nypost) March 19, 2025

Iran’s Advancing Nuclear Program

Iran’s nuclear program has made significant advancements since the collapse of the 2015 agreement. According to U.S. intelligence assessments, Iran now possesses enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to weapons-grade level at 90%. This rapid progression has alarmed both American and Israeli officials, who view Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat to regional stability. While Iran maintains its program is solely for peaceful purposes, the acceleration of uranium enrichment beyond levels necessary for civilian use has fueled international suspicion.

In an interview with Fox Business in early March, Trump said there were “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.”

Diplomatic Channels and Response

The letter’s delivery involved a complex diplomatic chain, beginning with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff taking it to UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, who then passed it to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This indirect communication route highlights the lack of direct diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged receipt of the letter but has refrained from publicizing its contents, stating they are studying it thoroughly before drafting an official response.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei dismissed Trump’s proposal as “a deception,” but Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not categorically reject the possibility of negotiations. They indicated that discussions addressing concerns about potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program “may be subject to consideration.”

Regional Implications and Next Steps

Trump’s letter comes amid broader regional security concerns. In a recent Truth Social post, he warned Iran about its support for proxy groups like the Houthis in Yemen. “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, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire,” Trump stated.

The two-month timeline presents significant challenges for meaningful negotiations on complex nuclear issues, particularly given Iran’s insistence that sanctions must be lifted before substantive talks can begin. If Iran rejects the offer or fails to engage within the specified timeframe, military options could gain increased consideration.