“If they don’t make a deal [with the US] there will be bombing, and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,” Trump told NBC News late Saturday in a phone call.
On March 7, Trump said that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei signaling openness to new nuclear negotiations, but threatened possible military action if Iran refuses to cooperate stating,“If we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing for them.”
On Friday, Trump underscored that his preference is to negotiate with Tehran on the nuclear dossier, but warned that “bad things” would happen if no agreement is made.
Importantly, the state-run Iranian News Agency, IRNA, reported on Thursday that Tehran officially responded to Trump’s letter via Oman,
Iran’s President stated on Sunday that the response to Trump’s letter “emphasized that Iran has never avoided negotiations” and that “the breach of commitments caused problems on this path.” Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the importance of restoring trust, adding that such behavior by “the Americans ensures the continuation of the path of negotiations.”
“Although the issue of direct negotiation between the two parties has been rejected, the path of indirect negotiation is open,” Pezeshkian added.
Importantly, Iran’s foreign ministry on Sunday criticized the circulation of the alleged contents of Trump’s letter on social media as confusing public opinion.
In a post he shared on X, political analyst for Sky News Arabia Mohammad Saleh Sedghian published what he claimed was the content of Trump's letter to Iran. The letter purportedly included warnings of a swift and decisive response if Tehran rejected diplomatic outreach and continued its support for armed groups and regional escalation.
"Insisting on making the ongoing correspondence and interactions between the countries public … is nothing more than unnecessary distraction and psychological agitation in society,” read a statement by the ministry, relayed by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Iran’s foreign ministry added that “maintaining the confidentiality of international negotiations and correspondence and not publishing details of diplomatic processes is professional behavior and in line with national interests, and will continue as long as the country's interests require it.”
Ahead of Trump’s threats, Iran’s foreign minister had on Friday downplayed the possibility of American military action against the Islamic republic, but said Tehran stands ready “for both threats and diplomacy,” IRNA reported.
Earlier in March, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Khamenei, stated that Iran will not accept demands from a “bully” who only seeks dominance rather than solving problems.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Politico late last month that "in order to stop a nuclear Iranian program before it is weaponized, a reliable military option should be on the table," reported AFP.
Of note, Trump did not elaborate if the potential “bombing” against Iran would be coordinated with the US's closest ally in the region, Israel.
Under a 2015 nuclear deal - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran.
After returning to the White House, Trump in early February restored his “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran, arguing that it is “too close” to a nuclear weapon. He also expressed openness to negotiate a new deal with Tehran, though Iran’s Supreme Leader, Khamenei, deemed negotiations “unwise.”
