Trump’s Letter to Iran Included Deadline With Demand for Nuclear Deal

President Donald Trump recently sent a direct letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader demanding a new nuclear deal within two months, raising the stakes in a standoff that could determine whether the Middle East faces a new military conflict.

Key Takeaways

Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader earlier this month giving a two-month deadline to reach a new nuclear deal or potentially face military consequences.
Iran has enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to 90%, according to intelligence assessments.
The letter was delivered through UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, bypassing traditional diplomatic channels.
Iran’s Supreme Leader called Trump’s proposal “deception,” but the Iranian mission to the UN did not rule out potential negotiations.
Trump withdrew from the original 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, leading to Iran violating the agreement’s restrictions a year later.

Trump’s Nuclear Ultimatum to Iran

President Trump sent what officials describe as a “tough” letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this month, proposing renewed nuclear talks with a strict two-month deadline for reaching a new deal. The timeline of this ultimatum remains unclear—whether it begins from the letter’s delivery or from the start of potential negotiations. The communication bypassed traditional diplomatic channels, with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff delivering the message to UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed, who then passed it to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The letter’s delivery was previously reported, but Axios revealed on March 19 that the letter included the deadline.

The White House has briefed key allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE about the letter’s contents. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told The New York Post, “President Trump made it clear to Ayatollah Khamenei that he wanted to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program diplomatically – and very soon – and if this was not possible, there would be other ways to resolve the dispute.”

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 Advanced Nuclear Capabilities

According to intelligence assessments, Iran’s nuclear program has advanced significantly. The country now possesses enough 60% enriched uranium for six nuclear bombs if further enriched to weapons-grade 90% level, per the International Atomic Energy Agency. This rapid development has heightened concerns within the Trump administration. During a Fox News interview where he revealed sending the letter, Trump stressed, “We can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. Something is going to happen very soon. I would rather have a peace deal than the other option, but the other option will solve the problem.”

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reinforced the administration’s position, declaring that Iran must abandon all elements of its nuclear program or face consequences. “Iran has been offered a way out of this,” Waltz stated, suggesting military action remains a real possibility if diplomacy fails. The administration’s stance represents a continuation of Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, which aims to isolate the country economically and reduce its oil exports.

Iran’s Response and Historical Context

Iran’s reaction to Trump’s letter has been mixed. Supreme Leader Khamenei reportedly dismissed the proposal as “deception” and warned that the US “will tighten the knot of sanctions and increase pressure on Iran.” However, the Iranian mission to the UN didn’t completely reject the possibility of talks, indicating that “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.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry is reportedly studying the letter and drafting a formal response.

The current standoff comes after a complex history between the two nations. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated under the Obama administration, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the U.S. withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions, Iran began violating the deal’s nuclear restrictions a year later. Recent tensions have been further inflamed by U.S. intelligence allegations that Iran plotted to assassinate Trump during the 2024 campaign season.