‘Doing a Deal Would Be Preferable’: Trump Reveals Direct Talks Underway With Iran Over Nuclear Program

Latest Developments

• Upcoming Iran Negotiations: President Donald Trump said during an April 7 joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States will hold direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program starting on April 12. Trump did not specify the location of the talks but said they would take place at a “high level.” “I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable to doing the obvious,” he said, referring to his recent threats of military action against Iran’s nuclear program. Trump made clear that should the talks fail, “Iran will be in great danger,” reaffirming longstanding U.S. policy that the Islamic Republic “can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
• New Gaza Hostage Deal: Netanyahu said that Israel is working on a new deal to release the remaining 59 hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza. “The hostages are in agony. We want to get them all out,” Netanyahu said. Trump echoed Netanyahu’s comments, saying that he’d like to “see the war stop” but that “right now, we have a problem with the hostages — we want to get the hostages out.” Trump largely stood by his plan for Gaza first proposed during his meeting with Netanyahu in February, saying that “having a peace force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip, would be a good thing.”
• Trump Reveals Turkey Behind Syria Takeover: Trump confirmed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan played a key role in the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Shams, an Islamist rebel organization, in December 2024. Addressing the friction between Israel and Turkey over Syria’s future, Trump touted his “great relations” with Erdogan, telling Netanyahu, “If you have a problem with Turkey, I really think I’m going to be able to work it out.”

FDD Expert Response

“President Trump put it plainly: ‘Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.’ It’s not complicated — and the message at Saturday’s talks should be just as clear. Iran has a choice: dismantle its nuclear program or face the consequences. If Tehran tries its usual games — stalling, dodging, and deceiving — the United States must stand firm. No deal is better than a deal that lets Iran keep its path to the bomb.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Trump confirmed today what has been apparent for months: Turkey played a major role in the ouster of the Assad regime and is now aiming to secure its interests in the region by blocking Kurdish-led forces from its border and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees. What began as political support for Damascus’s new government has evolved into military backing, including efforts to establish bases in central Syria. Turkey has also exerted control over the new government by placing its proxies in high-ranking positions within Syria’s new army.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘They Are Sitting Inside a Glass Room’: Citing U.S. Threats, Iran Puts Army on High Alert,” FDD Flash Brief

“Tehran’s Diplomatic Gambit Aims to Forestall Pressure While Advancing Nuclear Program,” by Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“Israel ‘Not Looking for Conflict’: Netanyahu, Trump to Talk Turkey During Monday Visit to the White House,” FDD Flash Brief