Axios reported on Thursday that Iran may propose an interim nuclear agreement with the U.S. to buy time beyond the two-month deadline set forth by President Donald Trump.
Trump reiterated his threat on Wednesday to use military power if Iran does not agree to stop its nuclear program. In a letter sent to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last month, Trump gave him a two-month deadline.
According to a report, Iran does not believe that two months is enough time to come up with a comprehensive agreement.
The Iranians appear to think that a lasting deal will not be possible in the time frame that President Trump is aiming for. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group’s Iran project told Axios that an interim deal could be a stepping stone to a final agreement.
Trump announced this week that the direct talks would begin on Saturday. Iran announced that the talks would take place between White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Oman.
Trump has repeatedly said that “there would be bombing” or tariffs if Iran does not make the deal.
“When you start talks, you know pretty quickly whether they’re going well or not. So the conclusion would be — when I feel they’re not going well,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “But if it requires military, we’re going to have military. Israel will be very involved in that — maybe even lead it. But nobody leads us. We do what we want to do,” he added.
He said, “I don’t ask for much… but they cannot have nuclear weapons.”