Trump warns Tehran: Time running out for nuclear deal as talks stall

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Iran Tuesday, declaring the “clock is ticking” on stalled negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement. Speaking from the White House briefing room, Trump warned Tehran that time is running out to strike a deal before the United States takes further unspecified action. “The Iranians have had their chance,” Trump said. “They keep walking away from the table.”

U.S. and European officials confirmed that indirect talks in Vienna have reached a standstill after Iran demanded the lifting of all sanctions imposed since 2018, including those unrelated to its nuclear program. The U.S. delegation, led by Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley, has refused to consider demands outside the scope of the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “We are not negotiating sanctions relief for regional aggression,” a senior State Department official said. “Those are two separate issues.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian accused Washington of “economic warfare” and warned that further delays could push Tehran toward accelerating its uranium enrichment program. International inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium by 20% in the past month, bringing the total to 70 kilograms—enough for three nuclear weapons if further enriched.

Trump’s warning signals a potential shift toward a more confrontational approach, including the possibility of new sanctions or military posturing. Pentagon officials have been instructed to review contingency plans in the event talks collapse entirely. Meanwhile, European allies—including France, Germany, and the UK—have urged both sides to return to negotiations, emphasizing the risk of regional escalation. “The window for diplomacy is not infinite,” said a senior EU diplomat. “But neither is the patience of the international community.”

Analysts warn that if the negotiations fail, Iran could resume enrichment at weapons-grade levels within months. Such an action would likely trigger a cascade of regional reactions, including potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and a further deterioration of U.S.-Iran relations. “This is no longer just about the nuclear file,” said Ali Vaez, Iran director at the International Crisis Group. “It’s about power, deterrence, and the future of the Middle East.”

As the standoff continues, the geopolitical stakes grow higher. Saudi Arabia has quietly signaled support for a U.S.-led military response if Iran crosses the enrichment threshold, while Russia and China have both criticized Washington’s hardline stance. The Kremlin’s foreign ministry called the U.S. approach “counterproductive and dangerous.” In Tehran, hardliners are pushing for a harder line, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducting large-scale military drills near the Strait of Hormuz this week. “We are prepared for all scenarios,” IRGC Commander Hossein Salami said. “The Americans should not test our resolve.”

The next 48 hours are critical. If no breakthrough occurs, Trump is expected to announce a new executive order targeting Iran’s oil exports and financial networks. The move would mark the most aggressive U.S. action since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Meanwhile, Iran has warned of “severe consequences” if the U.S. imposes additional penalties, raising fears of a direct military confrontation.