US President Donald Trump on 23 June declared that any sanctions relief extended to Iran would be conditional on Tehran purchasing American agricultural products, while reaffirming that Iran would never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon under any emerging agreement. The remarks, delivered at the White House following the signing of executive orders on quantum technology, represented Trump's most detailed public comments yet on the state of ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

The Farm Purchase Condition

Trump said that funds unfrozen under any sanctions relief package would be directed exclusively toward food purchases from American farmers. “Money that’s being unfrozen is going to be used to buy food,” he said. “And the food’s going to be bought exclusively through the United States from our farmers.” He specifically named corn and soybeans among the commodities Iran would be expected to procure.

When asked whether easing sanctions could allow Iran to rebuild its military capabilities, Trump maintained that the funds were intended strictly for humanitarian purposes. “They’re supposed to use money to buy food for their people, because right now their people are very hungry,” he said.

Nuclear Guarantee and Iran’s Weakened Position

Trump was unequivocal on the nuclear question. “We have an open strait and we have a country that will never have a nuclear weapon, will never, ever have a nuclear weapon,” he said. He also pushed back firmly against suggestions that Iran had gained leverage in the negotiations, arguing that recent military operations had significantly degraded Tehran’s capabilities. “Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their leaders are all dead. Their whole country is a mess. Their economy is shot,” Trump said.

Switzerland Talks and Vance’s Role

Vice President JD Vance and a US delegation were continuing negotiations with Iranian officials in Switzerland at the time of Trump’s remarks. Discussions have reportedly centred on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and regional deconfliction mechanisms. Trump praised Vance’s performance at the talks. “I watched his news conference from Switzerland. He’s a very smart guy. He did a great job,” the President said.

Strait of Hormuz and Compliance Warning

Trump claimed that energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had rebounded strongly following recent tensions. “We took in more oil yesterday than has ever gone through the strait. The strait is totally open,” he said. While declining to detail specific enforcement mechanisms, Trump issued a clear warning on compliance: “If Iran doesn’t live up to their agreement or if they’re not behaving, I will do what I have to do.”

What Comes Next

The talks in Switzerland are ongoing, with no final agreement announced. The farm-purchase condition adds a significant economic dimension to what has primarily been framed as a security negotiation. Notably, tying sanctions relief to commodity purchases is an unconventional diplomatic mechanism — one that serves dual purposes for the Trump administration by addressing both Iran’s humanitarian needs and domestic agricultural interests. How Tehran responds to this conditionality is expected to shape the next phase of negotiations.