United States President Donald Trump has said he has instructed American negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran, even after suggesting earlier that an agreement was close.
In a social media post, Trump said constructive talks were proceeding but both sides must take their time and get it right.
The deal under discussion reportedly involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a plan for further negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump had said on Saturday that an agreement had been largely negotiated, prompting speculation that an announcement could come soon. Iranian officials also gave similar signals over the weekend, with a foreign ministry spokesperson saying the two sides are both very close and very far from reaching an agreement.
According to US media, the proposed deal is not a final settlement and instead leaves some of the most difficult issues to be negotiated later. These include the scope and timing of Iranian sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and Washington’s demands for Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to journalists in Delhi, said there was a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of Iran’s ability to open up the strait and enter into a real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter.
The reported deal has split Republicans, with some publicly arguing it is too lenient on Iran. Senator Ted Cruz said it would be a disastrous mistake, while Senator Roger Wicker said a 60-day ceasefire would mean everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for nothing.
But Representative Mike Lawler said the administration has managed to force the remnants of the regime into a real negotiation.
The US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking conflict across the Middle East. Iran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas travels. The move sent oil prices soaring globally.
Shortly after a ceasefire was agreed in early April, the US established a blockade of Iranian ports, which Trump said will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.
In Sunday’s post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated that Iran must understand it cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran has repeatedly said its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
Some reports in US media suggest the deal could see Iran agree to eventually hand over its highly enriched uranium. At the start of the war, Iran is thought to have had about 440kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity, a short process away from being enriched further to the weapons-grade 90 per cent.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told state TV that Iran was ready to assure the world that it is not after a nuclear weapon.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who has been mediating talks, said recent negotiations are grounds for optimism that a positive outcome is within reach.
