Trump Denies Offering $30 Billion Nuclear Deal to Iran
WASHINGTON:
Former US President Donald Trump has strongly refuted reports claiming that his administration proposed a $30 billion economic incentive to Iran to help establish a civilian nuclear energy program, calling the reports “fake news” and a “hoax.”
The denials come after CNN and NBC News published reports citing unnamed officials who claimed that preliminary proposals were discussed within the Trump administration, offering Iran financial incentives in exchange for halting uranium enrichment. CNN reported that various ideas were floated but no formal deal had been presented.
Reacting to the reports on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Who in the Fake News Media is the SleazeBag saying that ‘President Trump wants to give Iran $30 Billion to build non-military Nuclear facilities.’ Never heard of this ridiculous idea. HOAX!”
The reports emerged amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. While Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, the US has long expressed concerns over the potential for weaponization.
The denials also come shortly after Trump brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, ending a tense military standoff that began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. In retaliation, Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar. The exchange followed months of heightened tensions in the region, exacerbated by Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October 2023.
Trump’s role in facilitating the ceasefire has been widely discussed, with many analysts questioning the long-term implications of the Israel-Iran truce and the future of nuclear diplomacy in the Middle East.
Notably, Israel—widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the region—has stated that its military actions against Iran were intended to prevent Tehran from achieving nuclear weapons capability.
