Trump Urges US Negotiators Not to Rush Iran Deal
US President Donald Trump has instructed his negotiators not to rush the peace deal with Iran, insisting the quality of the agreement is more important than speed. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump stated the negotiations are proceeding ‘regularly and constructively’, adding: ‘I have instructed my representatives not to rush a deal because time is on our side. Both sides must use their time and do it right. No mistakes can be made.’
Reports indicate the draft agreement includes a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Some reports suggest Iran is willing to surrender around 440kg of highly enriched uranium.
The progress has caused a split within the Republican Party. Senator Ted Cruz openly criticised the move as a ‘disastrous mistake’, while Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, viewed the 60-day ceasefire as squandering all US military gains from Operation Epic Fury. Conversely, House Foreign Affairs Committee member Mike Lawler defended Trump, stating the administration has successfully forced the remnants of Iran’s regime to the negotiating table.
Tensions between the two nations escalated after the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on February 28, which Iran retaliated against Israel and US allies in the Gulf. An April ceasefire has calmed the conflict, though occasional exchanges of fire continue.
Trump reiterated that Iran ‘must understand’ it cannot develop nuclear weapons. To maintain leverage, he confirmed the blockade of Iranian ports, imposed since early April, will remain fully in place until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for 20% of global oil supplies, has driven up global oil prices. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave positive signals that recent progress could lead to the strait’s full reopening without rental fees.
Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed progress towards a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for further talks, though he noted a few critical differences remain. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, acting as a mediator, expressed optimism that a positive outcome is within reach.
President Trump claimed peace with Iran is imminent, though logistical and technical challenges loom over the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening. The Trump administration is pushing for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, but Israel and Gulf states are concerned about long-term security implications. US-Iran relations have suddenly thawed, with Trump stating a 14-point peace draft is nearly final, including plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan previously helped broker a ceasefire on April 8 and hosted high-level US-Iran talks on April 11-12.