Iran will never have a nuclear weapon under US deal, Hegseth says

What Happened

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told CBS News that under a forthcoming agreement, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, with nuclear material to be destroyed and removed and its nuclear program dismantled. He described the deal as performance-based, stating no money will be released to Iran until it complies, and emphasized there is 'no trust'—only verification. A senior Iranian official separately informed Reuters that a draft memorandum of understanding with the United States commits Tehran not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social on Thursday, naming Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, and Qatar as approving or mediating parties. Until a final deal is reached, Iran has agreed to halt uranium enrichment and expansion of nuclear facilities.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported framework marks a potential turning point in the decades-long standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, with stated commitments to dismantlement and verified removal of nuclear material. Regional buy-in from Israel and Gulf states, if sustained, could reduce the risk of military escalation. However, deep mistrust and the performance-based structure mean the deal’s durability will depend entirely on implementation and verification, leaving room for collapse if either side falters.

Watch For

Finalization of the deal’s text and its formal signing; details on verification mechanisms and the role of the IAEA; reactions from the US Congress, Israeli government, and GCC states; and Iran’s adherence to the enrichment freeze. Also watch for any backchannel clarifications from Oman or Qatar, and whether sanctions relief is tied to specific, verifiable milestones.