Former President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has requested negotiations over its nuclear program and the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and that several Gulf states are supporting the initiative. Trump made the statement during a public appearance, though he did not provide details on when the request was made or who conveyed it.
Trump's claim
Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that Tehran reached out for talks on two fronts: its nuclear ambitions and the security of the Hormuz waterway, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. He added that Gulf nations — which he did not name individually — are backing the idea. The former president offered no evidence or documentation to support the assertion.
Iran has not publicly confirmed any such request. The country's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Gulf states mentioned by Trump also have not issued statements on the matter.
Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program have been stalled since the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which Trump withdrew the United States in 2018. Since then, Iran has enriched uranium to levels far beyond the deal's limits. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, has been a flashpoint: Iran has threatened to close it in past disputes, and the U.S. Navy maintains a presence there.
Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have long sought guarantees against Iranian aggression and have at times acted as intermediaries. Whether they are now actively backing new talks is unclear.
What comes next
Trump's statement adds a new layer to an already opaque diplomatic picture. No formal talks have been announced, and the Biden administration — which has pursued its own nuclear diplomacy with Iran — has not commented on the former president's claim. The next steps depend on whether Iran or the Gulf states confirm the outreach, and whether any party is willing to sit down with Trump, who is not currently in office.
