Trump Signals Shift on Iran

By Amir Daftari

President Donald Trump has said Iran has asked whether U.S. sanctions could be lifted, calling the current measures “very heavy” and noting he is “open to hearing that, and we’ll see what happens.”

Speaking at the White House late Thursday, Trump offered no timeline or conditions for engagement but signalled a potential opening for dialogue between the longtime rivals.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Any easing of U.S. sanctions would mark a significant shift in American foreign policy toward Tehran. Trump’s administration has pursued a “maximum pressure” campaign, including strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and tight economic restrictions.

Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran stalled after a 12-day war sparked by a surprise Israeli attack earlier this year. Any change in policy could influence the balance of power in the Middle East, affect global oil markets, and reshape relations with U.S. allies in the region.

What to Know

Trump told reporters: “Iran has been asking if the sanctions could be lifted. Iran has got very heavy U.S. sanctions and it makes it really hard for them to do what they'd like to be able to do. And I'm open to hearing that, and we'll see what happens, but I would be open to it.”

The president has not committed to any specific steps, but his openness indicates a potential recalibration of U.S. strategy toward Tehran.

The “maximum pressure” strategy, reinstated early in his second term, was designed to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and limit its regional influence. Previous negotiations, including the 2015 nuclear deal, collapsed after the U.S. withdrew, citing inadequate oversight.

Trump on Israel-Iran Conflict

Trump also addressed the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, providing new details on U.S. involvement.

“Israel attacked first. That attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that,” he said.

“When Israel attacked Iran first, that was a great day for Israel because that attack did more damage than the rest of them put together.”

The Israeli assault on June 13 killed several top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists, along with numerous civilians. Iran responded with hundreds of missile strikes against Israel, after which the U.S. joined the conflict by bombing Iran’s three major nuclear facilities.

Iran’s Stance

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking in Tehran on Monday ruled out cooperation with Washington as long as the U.S. maintains military forces in the region and supports Israel.

Iran has also resisted international demands to limit uranium enrichment, a key sticking point that has derailed past nuclear negotiations. Any movement toward easing sanctions would likely require verifiable guarantees from Tehran—a condition it has so far refused to meet.

What People Are Saying

Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking in Tehran on Monday: “Only if the United States completely cuts its backing for the Zionist regime, removes its military bases from the region, and ceases interfering in its affairs, their request for cooperation with Iran, not in the near future but much later, could be examined.”

What Happens Next

While Trump’s remarks open the door for dialogue, progress will depend on Tehran providing concrete assurances about its nuclear program. Negotiations are expected to proceed slowly, with extensive diplomatic maneuvering before any tangible change in U.S. sanctions policy.