Make-or-break moment? US, Iran talks likely this week on nuclear deal: Report

The United States has proposed holding talks with Iran this week over its nuclear program in what is being seen as part of a last-ditch effort by the Donald Trump administration to end the war with Israel, which entered its fifth day on Tuesday. According to a report in Axios, the White House is discussing the possibility of a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"A meeting with the Iranians this week is under consideration," a US official confirmed. The meeting, if it goes through, could be a make-or-break moment in the conflict and decide if the US will join the offensive in a bid to eliminate Iran's nuclear program, the report said.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also told Fox News that President Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.

The possibility of a meeting gained traction amid reports of Iran's fervent back-channel messages to the US through Arab intermediaries that it wanted to end its conflict with Israel and return to the negotiating table for a nuclear deal.

'IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON'

While the US has so far not been directly involved in Israel's 'Rising Lion', a military operation to snuff out Iran's nuclear program, Trump has repeatedly said that Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

He recently reiterated the same at the G7 Summit, which he left early as the conflict escalated dramatically on Tuesday.

"Iran should have signed the deal I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Iran has, however, insisted that its nuclear program was for "peaceful purposes" and has threatened to exit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The treaty, signed by Iran in 1970, guarantees countries the right to pursue nuclear power for civilian purposes in return for foregoing the development of atomic weapons.

The tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran have unleashed destruction in both countries, with Iran being the worst affected, and forced residents to flee to underground shelters.

In Iran, the death toll from Israeli strikes has crossed 230.

The trigger for Israel's unprecedented attack was the Atomic Energy Agency's declaration that Iran was in violation of its legal obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and dangerously close to acquiring nuclear weapons.

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