U.S. – Iran Diplomacy Timeline – Page 5

Timeline: Trump's Iran Diplomacy

Mar 13, 2025

Trump letter to Khamenei delivered by UAE

Anwar Mohammed Gargash, an advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed, delivered a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed Mohammed Gargash in Tehran. Details of the letter have not yet been fully divulged, though reports have begun to shed lights on its possible contents. Ali Golkhani, a political commentator in Iran, stated that the letter contains elements of threat, but that it also emphasizes the need for dialogue and to reach an agreement. Additionally, Golkhani indicates that Trump references opposition to his plans for diplomacy, but insists “They don’t matter. I have the final word!”

Mar 9, 2025

Iranian Mission to UN signals openness to Trump letter

Following both President Trump’s reported letter sent to Supreme Leader Khamenei and Khamenei’s response, the Iran Mission to the United Nations posted this statement on their X account, seeming to suggest openness to nuclear negotiations: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration. However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program to claim that what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place.”

Mar 8, 2025

Qatari Prime Minister on Tucker underscores opposition to war with Iran

U.S. newsmaker and commentator Tucker Carlson interviewed Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, who underscored Qatar’s opposition to war with Iran and support for diplomacy. He stated that military targeting of Iran’s coastal nuclear facilities could have devastating impacts on the environment for nations near Iran, including by spoiling Qatar’s water supply and ensuring it runs out of water within three days, citing Qatari governmental studies. Sheikh Mohammed stated that Qatar will “not give up until we see a diplomatic solution between the US and Iran,” stating that Iran was open to engage and its leaders “are willing to get to a level that creates comforts for everybody. And most importantly, they are focused on mending their relationship with the region, and that’s something in itself.”

Mar 8, 2025

U.S. revokes waiver for Iraq to buy electricity from Iran

The Trump administration revoked a waiver which had previously enabled Iraq to transfer funds to purchase Iranian electricity. A State Department spokesperson underscored that the decision to rescind the waiver “ensures we do not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief,” pointing to the Trump administration’s apparent aims – as articulated in the maximum pressure memorandum of February 4 – to halt Iran’s “nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile program and stop it from supporting terrorist groups.”

Mar 8, 2025

Khamenei: Iran won’t negotiate with bullies

Following the letter that President Trump reportedly sent around March 7 calling for negotiations, Supreme Leader Khamenei made a statement asserting that Iran would not negotiate with “bully governments” pushing for talks. Khamenei further underscored, in his response, that for the U.S., “negotiation is a means to introduce new demands.” He continued that “the issue is not just about nuclear matters, they raise new expectations that Iran will certainly not accept,” referencing potential U.S. targeting of Iran’s defense systems and wider proxy efforts across the region.

Mar 7, 2025

Trump: we’re at the final moments with Iran

Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, President Trump elaborated on his position on Iran, underscoring grave stakes to the nuclear crisis. “We’re down to final moments. We’re at final moments. We can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump stated. “It’s an interesting time in the history of the world, but we have a situation with Iran that something’s going to happen very soon, very, very soon.” “Hopefully we can have a peace deal. I’m not speaking out of strength or weakness; I’m just saying I’d rather see a peace deal than the other. But the other will solve the problem,” seemingly referring to strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

Mar 7, 2025

President Trump says he has sent a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei

President Trump revealed that he has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader calling for nuclear negotiations. In an interview with Fox Business, the U.S. President stated “I’ve written him a letter, saying ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate,’ because if we have to go in militarily it’s gonna be a terrible thing – for them.”
The President affirmed he sent the letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader yesterday. He elaborated, saying, “No, I didn’t say ‘you better [negotiate],’ I said ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran.’ And, I think they want to get that letter. The other alternative is we have to do something because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”
Notably, Iran has indicated this letter has not been received yet.

Mar 6, 2025

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: U.S. intends to collapse Iran’s economy

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated to the Economic Club of New York that the U.S. is aggressively instituting sanctions against Iran for “immediate maximum impact,” with the intent to “collapse its already buckling economy.” He indicated that the sanctions in reference are targeted toward Iran’s oil sector and drone manufacturing system. Secretary Bessent further emphasized that “making Iran broke again will mark the beginning of our updated sanctions policy.”

Mar 6, 2025

Steve Witkoff says he is not talking to Iranians directly

Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East who led the U.S. in securing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, stated to reporters at the White House that “I’m not talking to the Iranians directly, and I have no knowledge of anyone in the US government talking to them right now.“

Mar 4, 2025

Russia reportedly supporting Trump outreach to Iran

According to a report from Bloomberg, Russia has agreed to support the Trump administration in facilitating communications with Iran regarding its nuclear program. As reported, “Top US and Russian officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed Washington’s interest in Moscow helping with Iranian issues, during a Feb. 18 meeting according to people with knowledge of the situation…” Lavrov reportedly shared the details from this U.S. meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi during Lavrov’s recent visit to Tehran. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia’s belief that the United States and Iran should resolve their problems through negotiations and expressed Moscow’s readiness to support such efforts.

Mar 2, 2025

President Masoud Pezeshkian backs down to Supreme Leader on talks

President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed parliament on Sunday during the impeachment of Economy and Finance minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, where he outlined his evolving views on negotiations with the United States. According to Pezeshkian, “I was of the opinion that there needs to be dialogue, but when the Supreme Leader said there should be no talks with America, I said we will not negotiate with America, period.” These comments appear to suggest that if Iran’s government is going to change its stance on negotiations, it will be at the behest of Khamenei rather than Pezeshkian or other government officials.

Mar 2, 2025

Javad Zarif departs Pezeshkian administration

Javad Zarif, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and former foreign minister, announced his departure from the Pezeshkian administration following a conversation with Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Iran’s Judiciary Chief. Ejei had advised him “to return to academia” to ease pressure on the Pezeshkian government, per Zarif, which was advice he accepted. Zarif had faced pressure from Iran’s hardliners for months who strongly opposed his role in Pezeshkian’s government, often citing his children’s apparent dual citizenship status as a disqualifying factor in holding a government position.

Feb 26, 2025

IAEA reports dramatic increase in Iran’s nuclear stockpile

A quarterly report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed a dramatic escalation in Iran’s nuclear stockpile. As of February 8, 2025, Iran is reported to have accumulated 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent—a significant increase from 182.3 kilograms in November 2024 and 164.7 kilograms in August 2024. This total stockpile of higher-enriched uranium is described as enough for six nuclear weapons, with further enrichment to weapons grade. This rapid expansion of enriched uranium has further intensified global concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Feb 25, 2025

Araghchi says no direct talks under maximum pressure sanctions

Following the U.S. State Department’s announcement of another round of maximum pressure sanctions on Iran’s energy sector, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that “There will be no possibility of direct talks between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way.” He further added – during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who was visiting Tehran – that “Regarding the nuclear negotiations, the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear. We will not negotiate under pressure, threat or sanctions.“ Araghchi also made clear, following his discussions with Lavrov in Tehran, that Iran intends to continue to cooperate and coordinate alongside Russia as well as China on the nuclear issue.

Feb 24, 2025

State Department announces new sanctions designations

The State Department announced another round of maximum pressure sanctions against 16 entities and vessels for involvement in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical industry. The announcement underscored that the sanctions measures “are being taken pursuant to Executive Orders 13902 and 13846, which target Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors, and mark the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since President Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.“

Feb 20, 2025

Secretary of State Rubio on Iran: Trump is a peacemaker

Catherine Herridge interviewed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where she posed a question regarding potential actions the administration would take if Iran were to ever conduct an assassination attempt on President Trump. Secretary Rubio stated, “...we’re not going to get into tactics or options available to the United States. Suffice it to say that if the United States chose to do so it could bring about the end of the Iranian regime. But the president is a peacemaker, he’d prefer to avoid that and avoid those circumstances. But I don’t think anyone should be confused here. Under Donald Trump there is not going to be a nuclear iran.”

Feb 20, 2025

Iranian President Pezeshkian dismisses U.S. pronouncements

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed recent U.S. pronouncements as inconsequential underscoring Iranian agency in determining the course of future events. “Trump makes a statement, and some people here try to align themselves with his words,” Pezeshkian said in western Tehran Province. “But what can Trump actually do? We are the ones who decide how to shape our own future.” “We create our own future,” Pezeshkian continued. “If we give up, we only face misery and troubles. But if we decide to solve our problems, we plan and act accordingly. We have to do it ourselves; we can’t expect others to do it for us.”

Feb 16, 2025

Waltz: U.S. willing to negotiate if Iran will “give up entire program”

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz appeared on Fox News where, in response to a question regarding potential U.S. involvement in an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, he suggested that the U.S. would be willing to negotiate if Iran was willing to “give up their entire program.” Prior successful negotiations with Iran have envisioned Iran retaining a civilian nuclear infrastructure:
“I can speak to what the president has repeatedly said, and that is Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. That not only would be existential for Israel, I think it would be existential for the entire world because it could kick off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. How we get there I’m not going to get into the details of here, but the president has also expressed a willingness to take whatever action is necessary — all options are on the table. But also, to talk to Iran as well if they want to give up their entire program and not play games as we’ve seen Iran do in the past in prior negotiations. All options are on the table, but I’ll promise you this — President Trump is absolutely serious, deadly serious, when he says Iran can never have a nuke, and certainly not on President Trump’s watch. They are an irrational actor that we cannot allow to have their finger on the button.”

Feb 12, 2025

U.S. Intel: Israel likely to strike Iran in weeks or months

U.S. Intelligence sources revealed to the Washington Post that Israel is “likely to attempt a strike on Iran’s nuclear program in the coming months in a preemptive attack that would set back Iran’s nuclear program by weeks or perhaps months.” The findings “are included in multiple intelligence reports spanning the end of the Biden administration and the beginning of the Trump administration, none more comprehensive than an early January report produced by the intelligence directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency.” While Israeli officials did not comment on the intelligence findings, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated that “While he {President Trump} prefers negotiating a resolution to American’s long-standing issues with the Iranian regime peacefully, he will not wait indefinitely if Iran isn’t willing to deal, and soon.” U.S. support for an Israeli strike on Iran has long been considered a military necessity to ensure the destruction of deeply-buried facilities that could be targeted, and could reportedly entail “aerial refueling as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”

Feb 11, 2025

Iran condemns Trump threats in letter to UN

Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council describing President Trump’s recent comments in interviews with the New York Post and Fox News as “reckless and inflammatory statements.” In said interviews, President Trump had indicated his preference for securing a deal with Iran in order to halt nuclear weapons development as opposed to bombing Iran. Iravani, who understood Trump’s comments to be threatening the use of force, described them to “flagrantly violate international law and the UN Charter,” emphasizing that “any act of aggression will have severe consequences, for which the U.S. will bear full responsibility.”