Trump Says Hes Made His Iran Deal Decision – Bloomberg
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson laid out the U.S. case to European allies about flaws in the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord, hours after President Donald Trump said hes made his decision about whether to walk away from the pact -- but wouldnt reveal what it was.
Tillerson emphasized that the agreement hasnt stopped Iran from playing a destabilizing role in the Middle East, with its support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its development of ballistic missiles and its funding of terrorism.
We clearly have significant issues with the agreement, Tillerson told reporters on Wednesday after meeting in New York withhis counterparts from Iran and the six world powers that signed the agreement. Its pretty difficult to say that the expectations of the parties that negotiated this agreement have been met.
Tillerson spoke hours after Trump declared three times to reporters in New York I have decided, when asked whether he intends to yank the U.S. from the pact signed by China, France, Germany, Russia, the U.K. and the European Union after months of agonizing negotiations.
Trump, who called the deal an embarrassment to the United States in his combative speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, has until October 15 to tell Congress if Iran is sticking to the terms of the deal and whether the agreement remains in the U.S. national security interest. He and his advisers contend that the accord simply postpones the day when Iran will be able to develop a nuclear weapon because many of its toughest restrictions expire in 2025 or 2030.
The U.S. stance has left it isolated against the six other nations that agreed to the deal.
Speaking after the evening meeting where the U.S. laid out its case,Federica Mogherini, the European Unions foreign policy chief, said the group would make sure the deal sticks even if the U.S. walks away.She said the world didnt need another nuclear nonproliferation crisis along with the struggle to contain North Koreas own ambition to obtain atomic weapons.
The agreement is working and delivering for its purpose, Mogherini said. We already have one potential nuclear crisis -- we definitely dont need to go into a second one.
In recent weeks, U.S. diplomats have approached European officials to see if they would join in demanding an extension to the limits on Irans uranium enrichment that will expire in coming years.
Tillerson said that after Trump made his comment, British Prime MinisterTheresa May asked asked him if he would share it with her and he said no.
In his comments to reporters, Tillerson said the U.S. has been making the case to increase pressure on Iran and that other countries are now looking more carefully and seriously at doing so, though he didnt specify what that might entail. The meeting was Tillersons first with Irans foreign minister, and Tillerson described the encounter as matter of fact.
There was no yelling, we didnt throw shoes at one another, he said.
Irans President Hassan Rouhani told the UN on Wednesday that a rogue newcomer to politics threatens to destroy the nuclear deal. Iran will not be the first country to violate the agreement, but it will respond decisively and resolutely to its violation by any party, he said.
The accord belongs to the international community in its entirety, and not to only one or two countries, Rouhani said. He told reporters later that Iran rejects any renegotiation of the deal. If anyone exits the agreement it means our hand is completely open to take any action we see beneficial for us.
Read More: A QuickTake Q&A on whether the U.S. will torpedo the Iran deal
Most countries backing the agreement cite findings by the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran is meeting the letter of its responsibilities under the accord. The 2015 deal provided an easing of international economic sanctions in return for curbs on the Islamic Republics nuclear program.
Mays spokesman James Slack told reporters in New York that she met Wednesday morning with Rouhani and she reiterated the importance of the deal.
The most direct rebuttal to Trump came from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said in his UN speech Tuesday that the Iran agreement is robust and to put it into question without anything to replace it is a grave error.
Macrons remarks were an ominous sign for Tillersons efforts because proponents of toughening the deal had pointed to France as the country least satisfied with the accord when it was reached and most likely to get on board for changes. But the French government has changed since then.
If we denounce the accord, do we better manage nuclear proliferation? Macron said in his speech to the General Assembly. I dont think so.
Still, Macron did leave some room for meeting Trump partway on Iran, saying on Wednesday that he was willing to discuss new measures to limit Irans ballistic missile development, begin talks on what happens after 2025 and discuss Irans role in regional conflicts -- all without undoing the original accord.
In addition to requiring the support-- or at least acquiescence -- of Iran, any reopening the deal would require support from Russia and China. Speaking to reporters Wednesday after meeting with Tillerson, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Trumps stance on the nuclear deal very worrying and said his country would defend the deal.
With assistance by Margaret Talev, Robert Hutton, Henry Meyer, and Gregory Viscusi
Read the original post:
Trump Says Hes Made His Iran Deal Decision - Bloomberg
- Five problems the Iran war could solve for Israels Netanyahu - Al Jazeera - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- What we know on the 21st day of the US and Israels war with Iran - CNN - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Deepening Iran conflict exposes cracks in U.S. and Israeli objectives - The Washington Post - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran war creates growing cracks within Trump's MAGA movement - PBS - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Japan wanted inflation and Iran war could grant that wish. But it's not the type Tokyo desires - CNBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Trump Says He Wont Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room - The New York Times - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- The Iran war is sending shockwaves through the world's busiest IPO market - CNBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- How the Iran War Narrowed Flight Corridors Between Europe and Asia - The New York Times - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Russia, China and the US the global winners and losers of the Iran war - BBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Trump caught unprepared by escalation of war with Iran - Le Monde.fr - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- The Memo: Frustrated Trump struggles against perception that hes losing control of Iran war - The Hill - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Unpacking Netanyahus latest claims about the war on Iran - Al Jazeera - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran retaliation is forcing Gulf nations into a stark decision: whether to join the fight - NBC News - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Are US and Israel in lockstep in Iran war? Deciphering Trump's post after gas field attacks - BBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran War Fallout: Southeast Asia Hard Hit by Skyrocketing Fuel Prices - The New York Times - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Netanyahu says Iran is being 'decimated' but revolution requires 'ground component' - CNBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Newspaper headlines: Iran war unleashes 'world energy shock' and 'King of the coast' - BBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- $200 billion for the war in Iran? Trump calls it a 'small price to pay.' - Yahoo Finance - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran Leaves an Isolated Trump Grappling With Historic Oil Crisis - Bloomberg.com - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran soccer chief: We'll boycott U.S., but not the World Cup - ESPN - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Trump and Iran Dominate the Agenda as Europes Leaders Meet. Here Are 4 Things to Know. - The New York Times - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- The Guardian view on the Iran war escalation: as Trump breaks things, who will pick up the pieces? | Editorial - The Guardian - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Father of service member killed in Iran war said he never told Pete Hegseth to 'finish' the job - NBC News - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Trump mulls Kharg Island takeover to force Iran to open Hormuz Strait, Axios reports - Reuters - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Iran womens football team feted in Tehran after asylum battle at Asian Cup - Al Jazeera - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- The Latest: Iran's Revolutionary Guard says Tehran still building missiles and the war will go on - NBC4 Washington - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Opinion | After the Iran war, the global economy will never be the same - The Washington Post - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Detained Britons used as 'human shields' in Iran war zone, family says - Reuters - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Teenager among first to be executed over Iran's anti-government protests - BBC - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- Trump references Pearl Harbor during meeting with Japanese PM on Iran war - Al Jazeera - March 20th, 2026 [March 20th, 2026]
- How people are making millions on the Iran war - Vox - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran live updates: Gabbard dodges question on 'imminent threat' in Senate hearing, Iranian intelligence minister killed - MS NOW - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- This Emirati billionaire put a voice to Gulf anger over Trumps war in Iran - The Washington Post - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Trump's failed strong-arming of allies on Iran shows that pressure is losing its effect - PBS - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Airstrikes Pound Middle East as Iran Conflict Approaches Third Week - The New York Times - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- The Iran Wars Next Threat Is to Food and Water - The Atlantic - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran confirms the death of its intelligence chief, 3rd top official killed in 24 hours - NPR - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Netanyahu Hopes Strikes on Iran Will Lead to Uprising and Regime Change - The New York Times - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Live updates: Gabbard declines to say if Trump was warned on Iran - NewsNation - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- 'Very difficult to stop': BBC visits scene of Iran cluster bomb strike on Israel - BBC - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Vance, Wright to address oil execs amid Iran tensions - Politico - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Bolton says he briefed Trump on Iran scenarios: Hard to believe that he forgot - The Hill - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran confirms killing of intel minister in third assassination in two days - Al Jazeera - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Ossoff grills Gabbard on whether Iran posed imminent nuclear threat - The Hill - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- What we know on the 19th day of the US and Israels war with Iran - CNN - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Takeaways from intelligence officials testimony amid war with Iran - CNN - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Trump confirms meeting with Chinas Xi Jinping delayed as war on Iran rages - Al Jazeera - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Tulsi Gabbard and Top Intelligence Officials Will Testify on Iran War in Senate Hearing - The New York Times - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- How the Iran war is weakening Donald Trump - The Economist - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- For U.S., Unmet Expectations in Iran Fit a Familiar Pattern in the Region - The New York Times - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Every Fortune 500 CEO's nightmare: the Iran War and the Pandora's Box of AI cyber warfare - Fortune - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- US eases Venezuela oil sanctions as Trump seeks to boost world oil supply during Iran war - AP News - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran threatens attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure as Israel kills another regime official - CBC - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran puts Trumpism to the test - CNN - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Iran expert says Trump's 'war of choice' has morphed into a 'war of necessity' - NPR - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- How ignorance, misunderstanding and obfuscation ended Iran nuclear talks - The Guardian - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Turkey and the War on Iran: Between Opportunity and Catastrophe - Arab Center Washington DC - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- Japan's leader heads to Washington for a visit complicated by the Iran war fallout - PBS - March 18th, 2026 [March 18th, 2026]
- War planning on Iran conflict includes off-ramps for Trump should he choose them - NBC News - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- 4 Iran pressure points to watch this week - Axios - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Why David Boies Thinks We Should Support Trumps Iran War - The New Yorker - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trump says he's demanded countries help 'protect their own territory,' police Iran's Strait of Hormuz - PBS - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- As the war drags on, what does victory look like for the US, Israel and Iran? - The Conversation - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trump: Help, the Iran War Is Going Great - Mother Jones - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trump Claims an Ex-President Confided His Regrets on Iran. But Who? - The New York Times - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trump 'not happy' with UK response to Iran conflict - BBC - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- In Iraq, the U.S. Tried to Bring Allies on Board. Not in Iran. - The New York Times - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- 16 Reader Questions on the War in Iran and Our Reporting, Answered - The New York Times - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Gasoline prices are still rising as the Iran war stretches into its third week - NPR - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- USA/Iran: Those responsible for deadly and unlawful US strike on school that killed over 100 children must be held accountable - Amnesty International - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The Iran war is roiling commodities far beyond oil - The Economist - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- What Trump said about Iran's infrastructure and oil prices in call with PBS News - PBS - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- What does Israel want from the Iran war? Is it different from what the US wants? - CNN - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Opinion | The U.S. militarys greatest weakness in Iran is one it cant fix - The Washington Post - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- The US-Israeli strategy against Iran is working. Here is why - Al Jazeera - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Marine turned anti-war protester says Trump wrong on Israel, Iran - Al Jazeera - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Trump seeks to delay China summit as Vance denies wedge over Iran war - The Guardian - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Number of US troops wounded in war against Iran rises to about 200 - Reuters - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Scoop: Witkoff to brief bipartisan group of senators Tuesday on Iran - Axios - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]
- Vance says he trusts Trump on Iran war, plays down differences - Reuters - March 17th, 2026 [March 17th, 2026]