Trump Official Signals Nuclear Deal with Iran Unlikely as Conflicts Resume

The prospects of a nuclear accord between the United States and Iran have dimmed significantly, according to a senior official in the Trump administration. As hostilities escalate once again, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright publicly acknowledged during an ABC News interview that securing a signed deal is no longer a certainty, marking a shift from one of President Donald Trump’s initial strategic objectives in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking on “ABC This Week,” Wright suggested the US may pivot toward military action aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure rather than pursuing diplomacy. “It may be simply destroying their capabilities to do it,” he stated, referring to Iran’s potential ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons. Washington has previously conducted strikes against facilities allegedly linked to Tehran’s nuclear program, which Iran maintains is exclusively for peaceful energy purposes.

When pressed by co-host Martha Raddatz regarding a potential move from diplomacy to continued bombing, Wright defended the administration’s military strategy. He asserted that US operations are successfully degrading Iran’s ability to develop both nuclear warheads and the delivery systems required to deploy them, claiming, “They don’t have the capability to build more missiles.”

Wright, a former oil executive who oversees the US nuclear stockpile, did leave the door open for a future agreement under different Iranian leadership. “An agreement may await the next administration in Iran,” he noted, though he admitted uncertainty about when or if that might occur. The comments underscore a growing sense within the Trump administration that diplomatic solutions are slipping out of reach following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding in July.

The resumption of attacks follows a brief pause in hostilities after the deal fell through, a period that also saw Iran close the Strait of Hormuz and the US impose a naval blockade. Despite the intensity of the recent exchange of fire, White House officials have attempted to minimize the scale of the conflict in public statements. President Trump recently referred to the war in Iran as “small potatoes,” while Vice President JD Vance suggested the situation had cooled, stating there was “no active shooting right now” and downplaying allegations of a US attack on a wedding in southern Iran.

Wright expressed confidence that the US would achieve its objectives with the assistance of regional and international partners. “We will work in cooperation with our allies in the region,” he said, adding that he expects countries worldwide to join the effort to end the war. Al Jazeera has contacted the White House for further comment.