Trump announces direct talks with Iran on nuclear program

US and Iran move toward high-stakes negotiations amid rising tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump responds to a reporter’s question during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington, DC. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, April 7, that the United States is engaging in direct high-level talks with Iran regarding its controversial nuclear program. The statement was made during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks a significant shift in tone after months of escalating tensions.

“Trump announces direct talks with Iran,” he declared to reporters gathered in the Oval Office. “The situation is starting to get very dangerous, and hopefully those talks will work out.”

Trump’s words suggest a fresh attempt at diplomacy after relying heavily on sanctions and rhetoric to pressure Tehran. He added that a major summit involving senior officials is scheduled for Saturday, raising expectations for a possible diplomatic breakthrough.

A dramatic shift in strategy

The decision to pursue direct talks comes after a long period of what the Trump administration called a "maximum pressure" campaign. This strategy included reimposing tough economic sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil exports and banking sector, and issuing repeated warnings of potential military action.

Until now, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been adamant that no direct negotiations would occur as long as US sanctions remained in place. The possibility of high-level talks suggests either a change in Iran’s approach or a calculated diplomatic maneuver by the United States to defuse growing tensions in the region.

President Trump has often insisted that a negotiated deal is better than the alternative. “I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be better than doing the obvious,” he said, alluding to the threat of military confrontation. “And the obvious is not something I want to be involved in—or frankly that Israel wants to be involved in—if they can get away with it.”

Netanyahu responds with caution

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seated beside Trump, reacted cautiously to the announcement. Though historically skeptical of Iran’s intentions, Netanyahu acknowledged that a successful agreement could be a positive outcome—if it genuinely halts Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“If these talks can completely stop Iran’s nuclear program, that would be a good thing,” Netanyahu reportedly said, according to The Times of Israel. However, he also emphasized the need for vigilance, suggesting that Iran might try to use negotiations as a stalling tactic while continuing to develop its nuclear capabilities in secret.

The cautious tone of Netanyahu’s response reflects broader concerns in Israel and among US allies in the Middle East. While diplomacy is always preferable to war, many are wary of trusting the Iranian government without strict oversight and firm guarantees.

Iran remains silent—for now

As of Monday evening, Iran had yet to officially confirm its participation in the direct talks. Iranian officials have previously dismissed any engagement with Washington as long as Trump continues to enforce punishing economic sanctions. However, reports from Tehran indicate that diplomatic channels remain open behind the scenes, suggesting that Iran may be preparing to join the talks under certain conditions.

Trump’s announcement caught many observers off guard, especially given the combative rhetoric that has defined US-Iran relations in recent months. Analysts speculate that internal economic pressures in Iran, coupled with international diplomatic efforts from European and Asian allies, may be pushing Tehran toward the negotiating table.

The stakes of the Trump-Iran summit

If Saturday’s summit goes forward as planned, it will be one of the most high-stakes diplomatic meetings of Trump’s presidency. The focus will be on finding a mutually agreeable path forward—one that offers Iran some relief from sanctions while ensuring that it cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), calling it "the worst deal ever made." He unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018, arguing it failed to address Iran’s missile program and regional activities.

In recent weeks, however, the White House has hinted that Trump may be open to negotiating a new version of the agreement—one that includes tougher restrictions and longer timelines. Iran, on the other hand, has insisted that the US must first lift its sanctions and return to full compliance with the original deal before any new terms can be discussed.

A region on edge

The announcement of direct talks comes at a time of heightened instability in the Middle East. Tensions between the US and Iran have resulted in tit-for-tat attacks, including the January assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and missile strikes on American bases in Iraq.

In this volatile context, the decision to engage in direct diplomacy is seen by some as a welcome shift toward de-escalation. However, the risks remain high. Any breakdown in talks could lead to renewed conflict and further destabilize the region.

For Trump, the timing of the announcement also has domestic implications. With the US presidential election drawing nearer, a successful diplomatic deal with Iran could bolster his credentials on the international stage. It would give him a major foreign policy win that could appeal to both moderates and war-weary voters.

A cautious path forward

While many are hopeful that these direct talks will yield results, the path forward remains uncertain. Decades of mistrust between the US and Iran cannot be undone overnight. The history of past negotiations is littered with setbacks, missed opportunities, and broken promises.

Still, the announcement that Trump is willing to engage directly with Iran marks a significant development. It opens the door to the possibility of a peaceful resolution to one of the world’s most dangerous stand-offs.

Whether this new chapter in US-Iran relations leads to real progress or becomes another diplomatic dead-end remains to be seen. But for now, the world watches as both sides prepare for what could be a decisive moment in modern international diplomacy.

Trump announces direct talks with Iran on the nuclear program at a time when tensions are dangerously high. With potential war looming in the background and sanctions taking their toll, this bold move could mark the beginning of a new diplomatic chapter—or lead to deeper conflict. Either way, the significance of these upcoming talks cannot be understated.