ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN 
Updated: 
The Trump administration is demanding that Iran agree to a nuclear deal that would remain in effect indefinitely, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told a recent private meeting of donors, according to a Wednesday Axios report.

Witkoff reportedly told a private gathering of AIPAC donors on Tuesday that the administration aims to avoid a “sunset clause” to ensure there is no limit on the deal’s duration, two sources familiar with his remarks told Axios.

“We start with the Iranians with the premise that there is no sunset provision. Whether we get a deal or not, our premise is: you have to behave for the rest of your lives,” the report quoted Witkoff as saying.

In that instance, most of the limitations imposed in the Islamic Republic were scrapped after 25 years in exchange for Iran pledging never to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.

People ride on a motorcycle as a view shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison that took place on June 23, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 29, 2025. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA
People ride on a motorcycle as a view shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison that took place on June 23, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 29, 2025. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

According to the report, which also cited a US official and two other sources with knowledge of Witkoff’s remarks, Trump aims to use the absence of a “sunset clause” to sell the deal domestically.

Trump on Tuesday stated that he will never allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon during his annual State of the Union address delivered to the US Congress.

“We wiped [Iran’s nuclear program] out, and they want to start all over again, and at this moment are pursuing their sinister ambitions,” Trump said. “We are in negotiations, and they want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: ‘we will never have a nuclear weapon.’ My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon – can’t let that happen.”

“As president, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America where I must,” he affirmed, adding that the “Iranian regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism, death, and hate” for the past 47 years.

Trmp administration, Iran claim to seek lasting nuclear deal 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said during a weekend interview with CBS that the regime seeks to reach a deal that would make sure the Iranian nuclear program “remains peaceful forever.”

Witkoff, alongside Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is set to meet Araghchi in Geneva on Thursday to continue the nuclear talks.

Killing Khamenei would not trigger collapse of regime, Araghchi says

Araghchi said on Wednesday that assassinating the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would not trigger a regime collapse as “there is a system in place to replace him.”

“I’ve seen suggestions in US media about assassinating the Supreme Leader, but this is a system. It is a well-established mechanism that exists within the system itself, so nothing would collapse. Everyone would be replaced through established procedures,” Araghchi said in an interview with India Today.

“Our system does not depend on individuals. It is supported by the people. So, I am not worried at all. Even in the middle of war, nothing collapsed, and we were able to continue our self-defense,” he said.

Goldie Katz and James Genn contributed to this report.