Why Did Trump Direct Negotiators Not to Rush the Iran Deal?
Image Source, AFP via Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has stated that he instructed negotiators not to rush into any deal with Iran.
Earlier, he had mentioned that they were very close to reaching an agreement.
The current proposal under discussion includes extending a 60-day ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and planning further negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Posting on social media, Trump described the talks as progressing “constructively” and emphasized that both sides need to take the necessary time to ensure everything is properly arranged.
On Saturday, Trump had said that the deal was “largely agreed upon,” raising expectations of an imminent announcement.
Division Sparked by the Agreement
Image Source, Reuters
Iranian officials also signaled progress in the talks on Saturday.
Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the two sides were “both very close and very far” from reaching an agreement.
According to US media, the proposed agreement is not final and leaves several complex issues to be resolved later.
Among these are Iran’s demands to unfrozen assets and sanctions relief, and the US’s conditions to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
The emerging deal has sparked division among Republicans, with some publicly arguing that the agreement leans toward Iran’s interests.
Senator Ted Cruz described it as “a catastrophic mistake,” while Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that the 60-day ceasefire would “undo all the gains from Operation Epic Fury.”
Prepared to Reassure the World
Image Source, Saqib Majeed / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
However, Mike Lawler, a member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented that the Trump administration has succeeded in bringing the remnants of this regime to the negotiating table.
Conflict in the Middle East intensified after extensive attacks by the US and Israel on Iran on 28 February.
In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on countries allied with Israel and the US in the Gulf region.
Iran completely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for almost 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas exports.
This caused a global increase in oil prices.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump emphasized that Iran must clearly understand that it cannot develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told government television that Iran has not pursued nuclear weapons and reassured the world accordingly.
Is an Agreement Near?
Image Source, AFP via Getty Images
During a visit to India, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio stated that “some significant progress has been made, but it is not final.”
He indicated that progress within 48 hours suggested the Strait of Hormuz would be fully reopened without impediment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ismail Baghaei told government television that Iran is decisively advancing a “memorandum of understanding allowing further talks for a final agreement.”
On Saturday, Trump also referred to the agreement as a “memorandum of understanding” on Truth Social.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, acting as a mediator, described the recent talks as “an optimistic scenario” and said the positive outcome was “close to agreement.”
With Jaroslaw Lukifka.