US Says Iran Deal Still Possible, Trump Urges Negotiators Not to Rush

The United States has said that a deal to end the conflict with Iran remains possible, despite President Donald Trump urging negotiators not to rush the process. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that an agreement to end the war with Iran is still possible on Monday, even as Trump downplayed expectations for the negotiations. Both countries are reportedly adhering to the ceasefire since April 8, with Iran maintaining control over Gulf shipping and the US sustaining its blockade on Iranian ports. ‘We thought we might get news last night or today; I don’t want to overinterpret this,’ Rubio said, citing AFP. ‘We have what I think is a solid foundation on the table regarding their ability to open the strait and keep it open.’ Rubio’s comments followed Trump’s instruction to his negotiators not to rush, stating, ‘I have told my representatives not to rush into a deal because time is on our side. The blockade will remain fully effective until the deal is reached, ratified, and signed.’ Trump added in a separate post that the deal is mostly negotiated but requires finalisation with Iran and other nations. According to Tasnim, key clauses remain unresolved, including Iran’s frozen assets. The conflict that erupted after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 initially caused global market volatility. However, optimism over negotiations has driven Brent crude down to $99.41 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate to $92.49. On nuclear issues, Rubio told The New York Times that regional countries support the approach, though nuclear talks cannot be resolved instantly. ‘We currently have seven or eight regional countries supporting this approach and are ready to move forward,’ he said. Previously, Rubio projected a deal could be reached by Sunday, but Trump reiterated that negotiations are not yet complete. ‘If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and right deal. It hasn’t even been fully negotiated yet,’ Trump wrote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed agreement with Trump that any final deal must eliminate nuclear threats. Iranian officials confirmed a draft deal but stated nuclear programme talks would be postponed for 60 days after an agreement. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains ready to assure the world it seeks no nuclear weapons, though it’s unclear if this commitment will be in the official text. Fars News reported that sanctions on Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors would be temporarily lifted during negotiations to allow free sales. Peace efforts involved leaders of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and representatives from Turkey and Pakistan in talks with Trump on Saturday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hopes to host the next round of negotiations after mediating direct talks between US and Iranian delegations in April. Sharif added that Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, who visited Tehran on Friday and Saturday, was part of the discussions. Meanwhile, Israeli military continues attacks on Hezbollah-linked targets in southern and eastern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement since April 17. Rubio accused Hezbollah of trying to drag Lebanon back into conflict and condemned calls to overthrow the government. The statement responds to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem’s assertion that people have the right to protest and topple the government amid Israeli attacks and US sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hassan financial institution.