Trump, Iran clash over nuclear deal messaging

President Donald Trump and Iran appeared to clash on Friday over whether a new nuclear deal had been proposed, after the president told reporters on Air Force One that he sent the Middle Eastern country a proposal for a nuclear agreement. 

Leaders from the U.S. and Iran have held four rounds of talks, primarily in Oman, since Trump began his second term, to address Tehran’s nuclear program as the country nears nuclear weapons capabilities. 

Iran's foreign minister pushed back on the claims that the country had received a formal proposal, stating that the messaging from the U.S. president was "confusing" and "contradictory." 

“Iran has not received any written proposal from the United States, whether directly or indirectly,” Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted to X. “In the meantime, the messaging we—and the world—continue to receive is confusing and contradictory. 

"Iran nonetheless remains determined and straightforward: Respect our rights and terminate your sanctions, and we have a deal," he added.

The comments come as Trump returns from his first official overseas trip of the new administration, which took place in the Middle East, though did not include a stop in Iran. 

Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier in an interview that aired Friday night that he planned to use his trade strategy to reach a peace deal with Iran, but reiterated his stance that Iran could not have nuclear weapons. 

“Iran wants to trade with us, okay, if you can believe that. And I’m OK with it,” the president said. “I’m using trade to settle scores and to make peace. But I’ve told Iran we make a deal. There’s not plenty of time."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.