Washington, June 28, 2025 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has vehemently denied media reports that his administration explored a civilian nuclear energy accord with Iran worth up to $30 billion. Trump labeled the claims a “HOAX” on Truth Social, accusing CNN and NBC of fabricating the story to damage his credibility ().The reports, based on unnamed sources cited by CNN and NBC, suggested the Trump administration was discussing economic incentives—such as allowing Iran to unfreeze approximately $6 billion in foreign reserves—if Tehran agreed to halt uranium enrichment. Allegedly, Gulf states may have been tapped to help fund the initiative .Trump firmly rejected these accounts, stating he had “never heard of such a proposal.” He described the reports as part of a broader campaign by “Fake News” entities, calling out CNN anchor Abby Phillip despite her not leading the coverage .Despite these denials, indirect diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran has continued. Negotiations since April—mediated through Oman—aim to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions without offering it pathways to weaponization .Trump emphasized that while civil nuclear discussions may occur, “any deal” must not allow Iran to enrich uranium in a way that could be used for military purposes . He reiterated that if Iran retains the capacity for weaponizable uranium, “bombing Iran again” would remain a potential option .The broader context includes recent U.S. military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Trump described the strikes as a “tremendous victory” and insisted they had significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities—a claim contested by preliminary U.S. intelligence assessments .⸻Why It Matters • Diplomatic friction: The contradictory signals—Trump’s denials, ongoing diplomacy, and threats of military force—highlight the precarious balance in U.S.–Iran strategy. • Media trust: Trump’s dismissal underscores his ongoing battles with mainstream outlets and their reporting on sensitive negotiations. • Regional security: Any civilian nuclear arrangement with Iran touches on core concerns for Israel and Gulf partners wary of potential nuclear escalation.⸻Bottom line: Trump dismisses high-dollar civilian nuclear deal rumors as “hoax,” while U.S.–Iran channels quietly remain open. But his caution—that any deal must preclude enrichment—signals sustained pressure and volatility ahead.
