President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, May 27, 2026. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
President Donald Trump is insisting that Tehran formally commit to specific nuclear concessions as part of a preliminary accord, aiming to break the prolonged impasse between the U.S. and Iran, sources within the U.S. administration and another individual familiar with the situation have informed ABC News.
Previously, Iranian representatives offered verbal assurances that the government would eventually consent to certain conditions concerning Iran’s nuclear activities. However, the president concluded during a meeting in the Situation Room on Friday that these assurances lacked sufficient weight, according to the sources.
During his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided some details regarding the Trump administration’s expectations from Iran before proceeding.
"They must commit to highly specific discussions concerning the handling of the enriched uranium that remains secured deep within a mountain," Rubio stated. "They need to agree to negotiations on substantial and long-term restrictions or the cessation of enrichment activities within their borders."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes his seat as he arrives to testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing conerning the fiscal year 2027 budget for the State Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2026.Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Rubio indicated that the particulars, along with financial incentives for Tehran, could be finalized at a later stage.
"For instance, they must commit by stating, ‘We will manage the disposition of the enriched uranium.’ The subsequent question becomes, ‘What methods will be employed for this purpose?’ That aspect can be negotiated," he elaborated.
For several weeks, the discussions between the U.S. and Iran have focused on establishing a preliminary memorandum of understanding. This accord would officially extend the precarious truce between the nations, gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and outline a schedule for further deliberations on nuclear matters.
Last week, American and Iranian negotiation teams finalized a draft of this agreement, which they believed could garner approval from both President Trump and the Iranian government. This draft included a written pledge from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons—a promise Iran’s leaders have publicly reiterated numerous times recently—but it did not contain specific commitments regarding its broader nuclear program, which the regime has consistently asserted is solely for peaceful applications.
Iran is currently examining the revised terms, and officials report that its negotiators have not yet signaled whether the government is inclined to accept them.
U.S. officials have conveyed that President Trump is hesitant to offer significant financial incentives to Iran during this current negotiation phase. Rubio testified that the administration has not proposed lifting sanctions against Iran or unfreezing any of its assets as part of the initial arrangement, emphasizing that such measures would only be considered once Iran fulfills its commitments to curtail its nuclear program.
President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White House, in Washington, May 27, 2026.Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
President Trump informed ABC News’ Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on Monday that he anticipates Iran will accept his conditions within the week. However, U.S. officials continue to express reservations regarding potential divisions within the Iranian leadership and their capacity to unite behind an accord.
A state-run Iranian news outlet reported on Tuesday that the latest version of the potential agreement is still undergoing review in Tehran.
"Ultimately, you are in discussions with individuals who must then confer within their own governmental structures to determine what they are authorized to concede and what they can agree upon," Rubio remarked on Tuesday.
However, Rubio also noted that while Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not made public appearances or statements since being injured in the strike that claimed his father’s life during the initial stages of the war, there are now "indications" that he is "increasingly involved at some level" in the negotiations.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com