Trump Administration Signals Guarded Optimism in New Iran Nuclear Talks

By Theodore Bunker | Wednesday, 18 February 2026

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott Wednesday voiced guarded optimism about the Trump administration’s push for a nuclear deal with Iran while stressing that the U.S. is pairing diplomacy with sustained economic and military pressure as negotiations continue.

The United States and Iran have engaged in intermittent indirect talks since April aimed at reaching a new nuclear agreement to constrain Tehran’s atomic program and curb its ballistic missile development. This follows the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the reinstatement of “maximum pressure” sanctions.

Iran has stated that the latest round of indirect negotiations produced progress and broad “guiding principles,” with Omani mediation facilitating communication between the parties, though key details remain unresolved. Pigott noted on a recent interview that the administration views the current contacts with Tehran as fluid and unfinished.

“Ultimately, this is a dynamic situation,” he said. “I’m not going to get ahead of where these talks lead.”

When asked about the source of optimism regarding a potential agreement, Pigott attributed it directly to President Donald Trump’s approach. “I think it comes from a clarity of purpose from President Trump,” he stated. “We want to see a deal here, if possible.”

Pigott described Trump as “a peacemaker” and “a dealmaker,” adding that the president “wants to see peace and deals happen when possible.” He emphasized that the administration has clear national interests it seeks to advance through this strategy.

“The clarity of purpose is shaping policy not only toward Iran, but also globally,” Pigott said. “This motivation is driving the entire administration in terms of advancing America’s interests.”

Pigott further noted that the president has been “very clear” with his message to the Iranian regime and that U.S. military pressure began from the administration’s inception to deny Iran revenue needed for its malign activities, including nuclear weapons development, terrorism funding, and ballistic missile programs.

He cited last June’s Operation Midnight Hammer as evidence of the administration’s resolve, stating that the White House believes pressure and negotiations can progress simultaneously. A Congressional Research Service report described the operation as involving more than 125 aircraft and approximately 75 precision weapons, including 14 massive bunker-buster munitions, in a mission lasting about 25 minutes.

The talks, mediated by Oman and held in venues such as Geneva, occur amid heightened regional tensions that include naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and expanded U.S. military deployments to the Middle East. Asked about Iranian threats involving the Strait of Hormuz, Pigott said the administration’s regional posture is intended to protect U.S. forces and interests.

“Fundamentally, as we’ve said here, we think that the Iranian regime needs to make a deal,” he stated. “We have been very clear about their malign and destabilizing activities.”

Pigott declined to detail specific contingency plans but highlighted U.S. readiness in the region, noting that “our force posture is there because of the interest we have in the region” and reflects “our ability to respond if necessary.” Iran’s recent announcement of temporary naval drills in parts of the Strait of Hormuz—carrying approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments—has added urgency to diplomatic efforts.

Pigott reiterated that he would not “preview what options the president may have or not,” but emphasized that “the president has been very clear on this issue from the beginning.”