Trump Says “Bad Things Will Happen” if Nuclear Talks With Iran Collapse
Trump warns Iran of consequences if nuclear talks fail, even as both sides signal readiness to negotiate.
Ateeq Ur Rehman
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Iran warning that “probably bad things will happen” if a nuclear deal with Tehran is not reached, even as both sides edge toward potential talks to avert a wider crisis.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump struck a dual message, expressing hope that talks could work out while stressing that failure would carry serious consequences. “We have ships heading to Iran right now, big ones, the biggest and the best … and if we can work something out, that’d be great,” he said. “But if we can’t, probably bad things will happen.”
Trump’s comments came amid intensified diplomatic activity aimed at de-escalating a standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme. According to The Express Tribune, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a possible deal. Several regional governments, including Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar, have been actively pushing for these contacts.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly ordered a resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States, signaling Tehran’s willingness to engage despite deep mistrust. Iran’s foreign ministry has been working out a framework for negotiations, with messages relayed through regional partners, according to Iranian officials quoted by AFP.
Trump’s tough rhetoric follows months of heightened tension. In 2025, Israel, backed by the United States, launched a 12-day military campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, which in turn triggered Iranian counterstrikes on Israeli facilities before further US action.
Despite these strains, both capitals appear to be testing the diplomatic waters. Araghchi told CNN that Iran “fully agree[s]” with Trump’s stated goal that Tehran not acquire nuclear weapons and that such an agreement could be beneficial, though Iran expects sanctions relief in return.
Trump’s warning reflects a blend of brinkmanship and cautious optimism: Washington is deploying naval power and maintaining maximum pressure on Tehran, yet holding out the possibility of a negotiated settlement. As regional players step in to broker dialogue, all eyes will be on Friday’s planned talks in Istanbul, a potential turning point in a standoff watched closely by global markets and capitals alike.
