Fact Check: Tehran had been engaged in talks with the Trump administration on a deal to curb its nuclear programme to replace one that Mr Trump abandoned in 2018.

Fact Check: "Tehran had been engaged in talks with the Trump administration on a deal to curb its nuclear programme to replace one that Mr Trump abandoned in 2018."

What We Know

The claim suggests that Tehran was in negotiations with the Trump administration to establish a new agreement regarding its nuclear program after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018. President Trump characterized the JCPOA as a "horrible one-sided deal" and announced the U.S. withdrawal, which led to the reimposition of sanctions against Iran (New York Times). Following this withdrawal, Iran maintained its position that it would adhere to the terms of the deal as long as the other signatories (France, Germany, the UK, China, and Russia) complied (New York Times).

In the years following the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, there were indications of potential diplomatic engagements. For instance, recent reports indicate that U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, with meetings taking place in Oman as of April 2025 (BBC). However, these discussions were not directly a continuation of the Trump administration's negotiations but rather part of a broader context of renewed talks under different circumstances.

Analysis

The assertion that Tehran was engaged in talks with the Trump administration specifically to replace the abandoned nuclear deal lacks direct evidence. While it is true that the Trump administration had a contentious relationship with Iran and sought to renegotiate terms, the nature of the negotiations was more about imposing pressure rather than forming a new agreement. Trump's approach was characterized by a "maximum pressure" strategy, which aimed to compel Iran to agree to a new deal that would address not only nuclear issues but also regional activities and missile programs (New York Times).

The reliability of the sources used to support this claim is mixed. The New York Times article provides a detailed account of the events surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the subsequent Iranian response, making it a credible source for understanding the context. However, the claim itself lacks specific citations from credible sources that confirm ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the Trump administration regarding a new deal.

Moreover, the claim does not account for the broader geopolitical dynamics at play, including the involvement of other nations and the changing leadership in the U.S. since Trump's presidency. The discussions that have occurred since 2023 appear to be part of a different diplomatic effort rather than a direct continuation of Trump's policies.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that Tehran was engaged in talks with the Trump administration on a new nuclear deal is not substantiated by clear evidence. While there were discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, they were not specifically tied to the Trump administration's negotiations, and the context of these discussions has evolved significantly since Trump's presidency. Further investigation into the specifics of any negotiations and their outcomes is necessary to provide a definitive answer.

Sources

1. Teheran – Wikipedia
2. Trump Abandons Iran Nuclear Deal He Long Scorned
3. Tehran - Wikipedia
4. Trump urges diplomatic solution with Iran but says Israeli ...
5. Israel attacks Iran’s capital with explosions booming across Tehran
6. Israel Launches Attack on Iran as Tehran Scrambles Jets
7. US and Iran hold 'constructive' first round of nuclear talks
8. United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive ...