Top negotiators for President Trump have indicated that achieving a satisfactory nuclear agreement with Iran has traditionally been “difficult or impossible.” Trump has stated that regime change could be “the best thing that can happen” and has ordered more U.S. troops to be deployed before talks resume.
During discussions, Trump asked U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about the likelihood of striking a deal with the Islamic Republic, according to a report released on Saturday.
The advisers informed the president that while history reveals that Western nations have struggled to form lasting agreements with Iran’s leadership, they are committed to ongoing negotiations.
Witkoff and Kushner reportedly told Trump, “If they agree to our demands, we will give you a choice and you will make your decision.”
This evaluation comes as a second round of discussions is set for Tuesday in Geneva, following an initial round in Oman that did not yield significant progress.
Although negotiators express cautious sentiments privately, Trump has maintained a public stance that keeps both diplomatic and deterrent options viable.
After an event at Fort Bragg on Friday, Trump remarked that Iran has been stagnant for decades.
“For 47 years they have been talking and talking,” he said, adding that a government change “would be the best thing that could happen.”
He also confirmed the deployment of another aircraft carrier to the region to bolster U.S. presence.
When asked about the rationale behind sending an additional carrier strike group, he mentioned that it serves as a contingency if diplomacy does not succeed.
“Well, if we don’t get a deal, we’re going to need a deal,” he stated, noting that a successful agreement could lead to a resolution. He emphasized that the carrier would be leaving soon and that the U.S. would have a “very large force” on standby if required.
In expressing his thoughts on the negotiations, Trump was hopeful yet cautious.
“I think they will be successful. If they are not successful, it will be a bad day for Iran. Very bad,” he noted.
Reports indicate that the U.S. military has prepared for a potential weeks-long operation against Iran if ordered by Trump, with plans extending beyond nuclear sites to national security assets.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the administration’s dual approach, recognizing the slim chance for diplomacy while insisting that Iran must not be allowed to progress toward nuclear armament.
Rubio explained that the military buildup aims to prevent Iran from making a dangerous move and emphasized that while a deal is desirable, it remains “very difficult to achieve.”
This approach contradicts the red lines set by Iranian officials, who insist that discussions be limited to enrichment levels and reject talks involving ballistic missile programs or proxy networks in the region.
High-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, appeared at a recent military rally in Tehran that featured anti-American chants and displays of military assets.
Meanwhile, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to enhance economic pressure on Iran’s oil exports, particularly targeting those to China as part of a maximum-pressure campaign alongside the negotiations.
New executive orders, signed earlier, authorize the imposition of tariffs of up to 25% on countries interacting with Iran.
U.S. officials characterize the diplomatic route as conditional.
“If it’s not a real deal, we won’t do it,” they stated in a report made public on Saturday.
Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday in Geneva. The administration’s strategy appears to be focused on pursuing an agreement while simultaneously preparing alternatives.
Trump remarked about military action: “If they give us the right deal, we won’t do that.” “But historically, they haven’t done that.”
