Trump Signals Progress Toward Nuclear Deal with Iran During Middle East Tour

By: Fern Sidman

In a major development that could reshape U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that nuclear negotiations with Iran are nearing a potential breakthrough. Speaking to American troops stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—the largest U.S. military installation in the region—Trump projected cautious optimism about the prospect of diplomacy prevailing over military conflict.

“We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” Trump told the troops, as quoted by Agence France-Presse and cited by The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS). “We’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this … There is a very, very nice step, and there is the violent step, but I don’t want to do it the second way.”

Trump’s remarks come amid the fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, which recently concluded in Oman and are expected to continue in the coming weeks. According to the JNS report, while public rhetoric from both sides remains tense, the backchannel diplomacy suggests that real movement is underway. American envoy Steve Witkoff described the Oman discussions as “encouraging,” and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called them “difficult but useful.”

Despite the diplomatic optimism, the primary sticking point in the negotiations remains Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Tehran insists that enrichment on Iranian soil is a national right, essential for energy independence and scientific development. The U.S., by contrast, has consistently pushed for an outright halt to enrichment, citing concerns that enriched uranium—particularly at high levels—could be diverted for nuclear weapons development.

According to the information provided in the JNS report, Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to reduce both the level and quantity of uranium enrichment temporarily, in what could be a face-saving compromise for both sides. “We are not abandoning enrichment,” Araghchi reiterated. “But there are ways to narrow the gap and show goodwill.”

U.S. officials are reportedly exploring a phased rollback of sanctions in exchange for stepped-down enrichment and the reintroduction of rigorous international inspections. A senior official quoted by JNS emphasized that “the goal is not just containment but verifiable prevention.”

Even as talks progress, inflammatory rhetoric continues from Tehran. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian lashed out at the U.S., branding it the “most destructive force” in the region and accusing Trump of “trying to destabilize Iran.” He said, “He thinks he can sanction and threaten us and then talk of human rights. All the crimes and regional instability are caused by them.”

Despite this, diplomats on both sides appear committed to reaching some form of accord. JNS reported that the pragmatic tone adopted in Oman reflects a shift in priorities—perhaps motivated by economic pressure in Iran and Trump’s own interest in reducing military tensions abroad during his second term.

The potential deal is being watched with deep suspicion in Jerusalem. As The Jewish News Syndicate frequently notes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long been one of the most vocal critics of nuclear diplomacy with Tehran. His government is believed to be lobbying intensively behind the scenes, urging the Trump administration not to offer what it sees as dangerous concessions.

In past remarks, Netanyahu has warned that any agreement which allows Iran to retain its enrichment capacity—even at low levels—would constitute a “historic mistake” and open the door to future weaponization.

Israeli defense officials quoted by JNS have also expressed alarm over the possibility that a U.S.-Iran deal might inadvertently bolster Tehran’s influence over its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. These concerns are shared by other U.S. allies in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

President Trump’s nuclear diplomacy is taking place against the backdrop of a broader regional tour, which has included massive economic announcements and diplomatic engagements. In Saudi Arabia, Trump unveiled $142 billion in arms agreements, while Riyadh pledged a staggering $600 billion in future investments into the U.S. economy.

In Qatar, Trump secured a $1.2 trillion economic partnership, including Qatar Airways’ commitment to purchase up to 210 Boeing aircraft, as was indicated in the JNS report. These commercial deals are being framed by the White House as evidence of Trump’s success in restoring American prestige and economic clout in the Gulf.

In the UAE, Trump’s visit is expected to culminate in a preliminary technology-sharing agreement. According to sources cited by Reuters and reported by JNS, the deal could allow the UAE access to up to 500,000 advanced AI chips from the U.S. firm Nvidia. However, some voices in Washington are raising red flags about the potential misuse or diversion of such sensitive technology.

In a move that surprised many in Washington and Jerusalem, Trump also announced that longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria would be lifted. This followed a meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his Qatar visit. The announcement sparked concern that easing sanctions could inadvertently legitimize the Assad-aligned regime or embolden pro-Iranian militias operating in Syria.

Syria continues to serve as a corridor for Iranian arms transfers to Hezbollah and a base for anti-Israel operations, the JNS report said. Critics argue that sanctions relief should only follow significant reforms and a break with Tehran—a position that appears at odds with Trump’s new approach.

Despite these controversies, Trump’s administration is framing the nuclear talks as a high-stakes opportunity to end a cycle of regional instability. “We’re getting close,” Trump said Thursday. “But we’re not there yet—and it has to be the right deal.”

For observers in the region and in Washington, the message is clear: Trump is betting that a carefully negotiated agreement with Iran—backed by regional economic partnerships and military strength—could finally bring an end to decades of brinkmanship. Whether he can strike that balance remains to be seen.

The coming weeks could be decisive. With pressure mounting on all sides, the outcome of these talks may determine the trajectory of the Middle East for years to come—and whether diplomacy, not war, can deliver a lasting peace.