Trump Draws a Red Line Before Iran Talks: No Nuclear Weapon, No Deal

US President Donald Trump has outlined a firm condition ahead of upcoming peace talks with Iran, stating that Tehran must not possess nuclear weapons under any agreement. The talks, set to take place in Islamabad, come after a fragile two-week ceasefire in the West Asia conflict, with Washington aiming to push for a broader and more lasting resolution.

Speaking to reporters before departing Washington, Trump made it clear that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains his top priority. “No nuclear weapon. That’s 99 per cent of it,” he said, emphasising that any deal falling short of this condition would be unacceptable to the United States.

The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is travelling to Pakistan to engage with Iranian officials. The team also includes key figures such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Their mission is to negotiate terms that could extend the ceasefire and reduce tensions in the region.

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On the Iranian side, senior leaders, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, have arrived in Islamabad. While expressing willingness to engage in dialogue, Iranian officials have reiterated their lack of trust in past negotiations with the US, citing previous agreements that they claim were not honoured.

A major point of contention is the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route that carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude supply. Trump asserted that the US would ensure the passage remains open “with or without” Iran’s cooperation, indicating the issue will play a central role in discussions.

The talks are also expected to address broader regional concerns, including demands from Tehran such as a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets. With both sides adopting cautious but firm positions, the outcome of the Islamabad negotiations could significantly influence stability in West Asia in the coming weeks.

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