Trump Demanded 2-Month Deadline for New Nuclear Deal in Letter to Iran

President Donald Trump has set a two-month deadline for Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal or face potential military consequences as tensions mount in the Middle East.

Key Takeaways

President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei earlier in March demanding a new nuclear deal “very soon” with a two-month deadline.
Iran’s Supreme Leader dismissed the letter as “a deception,” though Iran’s UN mission later indicated potential openness to discussions about its nuclear program.
The letter was delivered through UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the White House briefing allies including Israel and Saudi Arabia about its contents.
Trump has warned of possible military options if diplomacy fails.
The move comes amid ongoing regional tensions, including Iran’s support for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Trump’s Diplomatic Push with a Deadline

President Donald Trump has recently escalated diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions by sending a direct letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The correspondence, delivered through UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed earlier this month, demands that Iran agree to negotiate a new nuclear deal within a two-month timeframe, according to an Axios report. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes spoke about the letter to The New York Post, emphasizing that the president seeks a diplomatic resolution first but is prepared for alternatives.

The letter has been described as “tough” by multiple sources, according to Axios, with Trump establishing clear terms for Iran regarding its nuclear program development. While the exact timing of the two-month deadline remains unclear—whether it starts from the letter’s delivery or from the beginning of potential negotiations—the message conveyed unmistakable urgency. The White House reportedly briefed key regional allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE about the letter’s contents.

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 Mixed Response

Iran’s reaction to Trump’s diplomatic overture has been complex. Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly dismissed the letter as “a deception,” reflecting the deep mistrust between the two nations. Relations have long been strained, with Trump in 2018 making the decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal negotiated during the Obama administration that provided Iran sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear program restrictions.

Despite the Supreme Leader’s dismissal, Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a more measured statement that suggests potential diplomatic openings. “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration,” the mission stated. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is reportedly studying Trump’s letter and drafting a formal response.

The Nuclear Threat and Military Options

Trump’s renewed push for a nuclear deal comes amid growing concerns about Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran now possesses enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%. This alarming development has heightened tensions not only with the United States but also with Israel, which views an Iranian nuclear weapons capability as an existential threat.

The president has been explicit about the potential consequences if Iran rejects the diplomatic approach. In public statements, Trump outlined two paths forward: a negotiated deal or military intervention. “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing,'” Trump told Fox News Business earlier this month.

Broader Regional Implications

The nuclear issue exists within a broader context of regional tensions. Trump has explicitly Iran about its support for Houthi rebels who have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea, threatening that Iran will be held directly responsible for these actions. “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,” Trump said on Truth Social this week.

Further complicating the situation, US officials have alleged that Iran plotted to assassinate Trump during the 2024 campaign season, adding personal dimensions to the already tense relationship. As Iran’s response develops in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of Trump’s diplomatic gambit will be tested. Whether this leads to new negotiations or increased confrontation remains one of the most consequential questions facing the administration’s Middle East policy.