Trump Says Iran Deal Close To Avoid 'A Lot of People Dead'

By Amir Daftari

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran in a Monday briefing.

"We've had some very, very good talks with Iran," he said and added that "something good" might be announced in the coming days.

In the same briefing, Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Moscow's intensified aerial assaults on Ukraine, describing Putin as "absolutely crazy." These contrasting remarks underscore Trump's complex and divided stance on two of America's most pressing foreign policy challenges.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Russia for comment.

Why It Matters

Progress in Iran's nuclear talks marks a key step in curbing Tehran's atomic ambitions, a long-standing concern for the U.S. and its allies. A deal could ease Middle East tensions, lower proliferation risks and allow limited economic engagement. But uranium enrichment remains the main obstacle. Iran calls it a matter of sovereignty, while the U.S. sees it as a route to weaponization.

A diplomatic resolution with Iran could let the U.S. shift focus to other threats, including Russia's escalating war in Ukraine, where Trump's tougher rhetoric highlights America's foreign policy balancing act.

What To Know

After the fifth round of nuclear talks mediated by Oman in Rome, Trump said there had been "very, very good talks" and suggested news could come soon.

"I don't know if I'll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good," he said. "I'd love that to happen because I'd love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead."

But he warned that military options remain if diplomacy fails.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called it "one of the most professional rounds" and said Tehran had "firmly stated" its position. The key obstacle remains uranium enrichment. Iran insists it will continue, "with or without a deal," while the U.S. demands a full halt.

Trump Rebukes Putin

Trump struck a starkly different tone when shifting from Iran to Russia, sharply criticizing Putin following Moscow's largest aerial assault on Ukraine since 2022.

"What the hell happened to him? He's killing a lot of people," Trump said, later posting on Truth Social that Putin "has gone absolutely crazy." He added that new sanctions were "absolutely" on the table, though none have been imposed.

What People Are Saying

U.S. President Donald Trump: "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran...I think we could have some good news on the Iran front."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: "The fact that we are now on a reasonable path...is itself a sign of progress."

Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, editor and host of The Iran Podcast told Newsweek: "U.S. and Iran as well as Oman have all signaled an overall positive sense after the talks. Iran has publicly reiterated that zero enrichment can be a dealbreaker for them. And the fact that talks have not yet collapsed is an indication that the U.S. may be considering this red line. So I am hopeful that they can bridge the gap with the help of mediators."

What Happens Next

Trump has promised an update on the Iran talks within days. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces pressure to respond firmly to Russia's intensified attacks in Ukraine, with new sanctions likely under serious consideration. How Washington manages these parallel crises will be critical for its global standing and security strategy.