A nuclear deal between the United States and Iran could be finalized as early as the next round of negotiations, according to a Thursday report from CNN. The potential breakthrough follows years of stalled talks and comes with heightened regional concerns, particularly from Israel.
President Donald Trump told reporters that negotiations were “very close to a solution” and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against preemptive strikes against Iran, calling such actions “inappropriate.”
Newsweek has reached out the State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
The outcome of these talks could reshape diplomatic and military dynamics across the Middle East. A successful deal may ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran and reopen diplomatic pathways that were closed after Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, Israel’s posture suggests that a military response remains on the table should it perceive an existential threat.
What to Know
According to CNN, the latest talks center on a potential U.S. investment in Iran’s civilian nuclear program. Under this arrangement, uranium enrichment would be conducted by a multilateral organization consisting of several Middle Eastern nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). No final agreement has been reached, and the structure remains under negotiation. The talks had previously hit a deadlock over Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
Moreover, the proposed deal does not currently include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile development or its backing of proxy groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. These omissions mirror what critics objected to in the 2015 JCPOA.
IAEA Weighs In
Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the IAEA, said that “the jury is still out” on the outcome of negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran’s advancing nuclear program, but described the ongoing talks as a positive sign. Grossi noted that he is in near-daily contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and regularly speaks with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, who head their respective delegations.
Ongoing Talks
So far, Iran and the U.S. have held five rounds of negotiations in Muscat, Oman, and Rome, with a sixth round yet to be scheduled. The talks aim to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for easing some of the severe U.S. economic sanctions, as the two countries navigate nearly five decades of strained relations.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump: “I want it very strong where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want, we can blow up whatever we want, but nobody getting killed. We can blow up a lab, but nobody’s going to be in the lab, as opposed to everybody being in the lab and blowing it up.”
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi: “For the moment, the jury is still out. We don’t know whether there’s going to be an agreement or not,”
What Happens Next
Negotiators are expected to meet again soon, though Israel’s response—and any military developments—remain key variables.
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