Trump expects Iran deal ‘over the next month’

Taking questions from reporters, U.S. President Donald Trump also accused the Israeli president of being “disgraceful” for not issuing a pardon to the prime minister.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Jan. 20, 2026. Credit: Daniel Torok/White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses members of the media in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Jan. 20, 2026. Credit: Daniel Torok/White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he expects Iran to sign a deal with the United States in the next month or face “traumatic” consequences.

Speaking to reporters at the White House during an announcement about U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, Trump said that his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu on Wednesday was “very good” but that the United States and the Islamic Republic “have to make a deal.”

“It’s ultimately up to me,” Trump said. “If the deal isn’t a very fair deal and a very good deal with Iran, it’s going to be a very difficult time for them.”

The United States and Iran held talks in Oman on Friday. The Islamic Republic has said that the discussions are limited to nuclear issues, but Trump and other U.S. officials have said that a deal with Iran should also address its ballistic missile program and the regime’s repression of domestic protests.

“I guess over the next month, something like that,” Trump said, of when he expects an outcome for the talks. “It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”

Trump rejected a question from a reporter claiming that Netanyahu had urged Trump to cancel the talks.

“You’re saying stop entertaining, stop talking to them? He didn’t say that. We didn’t discuss that,” the president said. “I’ll go to them as long as I like.”

A reporter asked Trump if Netanyahu bore responsibility for the Oct. 7 attacks. The U.S. president said that “everybody’s responsible” for failing to predict Hamas’s surprise attack and then slammed Israeli President Isaac Herzog for not giving Netanyahu a pardon in his ongoing corruption trial.

“He should be ashamed of himself,” Trump said, of Herzog. “He’s disgraceful by not giving it.”

Herzog’s office responded to Trump’s comments, saying that Netanyahu’s pardon request is being reviewed by the Israeli Ministry of Justice and that, per standard procedure, the president will only consider a pardon after that review is completed.


“The Iranians now recognise that they need to reach a deal with the Americans, and the Americans understand that the Iranians have certain limits. It’s pointless to try to force them,” Fidan said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and Iranian Foreign Minster Abbas Araghchi (L) hold a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2026.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and Iranian Foreign Minster Abbas Araghchi (L) hold a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2026.
(photo credit: REUTERS/DILARA SENKAYA)
The US and Iran seem prepared to reach a compromise on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the Financial Times on Thursday.

According to the report, Fidan indicated that flexibility on the part of the US was key to securing a deal, as Iran had previously demanded to be allowed to continue uranium enrichment. He believed that Tehran would accept compromises in order to achieve this goal, such as restrictions on enrichment levels and strict inspections.

“The Iranians now recognize that they need to reach a deal with the Americans, and the Americans understand that the Iranians have certain limits. It’s pointless to try to force them,” Fidan said.

“The Americans are deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” he said. “However, the other issues are closely tied to countries of the region, because missiles and proxies affect regional security; they do not have a global reach.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 11, 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 11, 2026. (credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO)

Fidan concerned Netanyahu may influence Trump into striking Iran

Another concern, Fidan said, was that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to US President Donald Trump may influence the president to act against Iran’s missile arsenal.

“For Israel, maintaining a position of military superiority in the region is a central priority,” he said. “The presence of Iranian missiles complicates that objective.”

US strikes on Iran were unlikely to collapse the regime on their own, Fidan stated.

Of course, the government organs and some other targets would be badly hit and damaged, destroyed,” he added. “But the regime as a political entity would be a functioning entity.”


Iran’s top adviser: Missile program is non-negotiable

Iran’s missile program is a “red line” and non-negotiable, says Ali Shamkhani, amid US-Iran tensions.

Ali Shamkhani

Ali ShamkhaniREUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl MN/KI

Iran’s missile capabilities are a “red line” and will not be a subject of negotiation, said Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, on Wednesday, according to the Reuters news agency.

His remarks came as Tehran and Washington prepare for a new round of talks aimed at preventing further conflict.

Shamkhani’s statement, which was reported by state media, came during a march commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. “The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” Shamkhani declared.

Diplomatic discussions between US and Iranian officials took place last week in Oman, although they were indirect talks.

Following the talks, President Donald Trump described the discussions as “very good” and confirmed that further negotiations are expected.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States will proceed if Tehran concludes that Washington possesses the “necessary seriousness” to reach a negotiated resolution and has agreed to drop what Araghchi described as the US’ “excessive and unrealistic” demands.