US President Donald Trump said on 31 May that the United States is close to finalising a nuclear agreement with Iran, while making clear that military action remains firmly on the table if diplomacy falls short. Speaking in an interview at the White House with Fox News, Trump said his administration's overriding priority is ensuring Tehran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

What Trump Said

'We're close to a very good deal, and if we can make it good, otherwise we just start up with the Department of War, as we call it,' Trump said. He described the negotiations as difficult but said progress was being made. 'Very tough negotiators. It takes a long time,' he added. 'Slowly but surely, we're getting, I think, what we want.'

Key Terms Under Discussion

Trump revealed that Iran had agreed to language explicitly barring it from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon — a broader formulation than earlier drafts. He said he personally pushed to expand the clause after raising concerns about Iran potentially obtaining a weapon from a third country. 'They originally said we will not develop a nuclear weapon. I said, well, what happens if you buy a nuclear weapon?' Trump said. 'Now it says we will not develop or in any way purchase a military weapon.'

The Military Threat and Red Lines

Trump reiterated that the US would act if its core demands were not satisfied. 'If we don't get what we want, we're going to end it a different way,' he said. Asked what would constitute an unacceptable outcome, Trump said: 'A deal that wasn't going to be good for us is the line ultimately.' He argued that Iran is negotiating from a position of weakness following recent US military operations, without specifying the operations in question.

Strait of Hormuz and Economic Stakes

Trump also tied any final agreement to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint. 'Number one, the Strait has to be opened immediately, and has to be free, no tolls… and number two is they can't have a nuclear weapon,' he said. The Strait handles roughly 20% of global oil trade, making its status a high-stakes economic variable alongside the security dimensions of the talks.

Broader Context

The remarks come as the Trump administration continues efforts to lock in a long-term settlement with Tehran after months of escalating tensions across the Middle East. Trump dismissed suggestions that next year's midterm elections were shaping his approach, saying simply: 'I have to do what's right.' He also used the interview to criticise US media coverage of the conflict and accused Democrats of blocking domestic priorities including tax cuts and border security measures. Notably, this is not the first time Trump has simultaneously dangled a diplomatic offer and a military threat toward Iran — a pattern that has defined his administration's approach to the Islamic Republic across both terms.