US President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed American negotiators to avoid rushing into a deal with Iran, even as growing signals suggest both countries may be edging closer to a major agreement.
The proposed arrangement under discussion is said to include a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and continued negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump described the ongoing discussions as “constructive” but stressed that both sides needed time to ensure the agreement is properly handled.
The latest comments come just days after Trump hinted that a deal had already been “largely negotiated,” fueling speculation that a formal announcement could soon follow.
Iranian officials also indicated progress over the weekend. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei admitted the negotiations were both “very close and very far,” highlighting the complexity of the talks.
According to reports from US media, the current proposal is not considered a final agreement. Instead, it is viewed as a temporary framework that leaves several critical issues unresolved, including sanctions relief for Iran, access to frozen Iranian funds, and Washington’s demands over Iran’s nuclear activities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Delhi on Monday, confirmed that substantial progress had been made, especially regarding the possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and fresh negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
The potential agreement has already sparked division among Republicans in the United States.
Senator Ted Cruz reportedly criticised the proposal, warning it could become a major strategic mistake, while Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker argued that a ceasefire would undermine the objectives of recent US military operations against Iran.
However, some lawmakers defended the negotiations, insisting the pressure campaign had successfully pushed Iran back to the negotiating table.
The latest diplomatic push follows months of escalating tensions after the US and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran earlier this year, triggering retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.
Iran later responded by targeting Israel and US-allied Gulf states while also restricting movement through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital global oil route responsible for transporting nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The disruption caused global oil prices to surge sharply.
Although a ceasefire was later reached, the US maintained sanctions and restrictions on Iranian ports, with Trump insisting they would remain in place until a final agreement is officially signed.
Trump also repeated Washington’s position that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, despite Tehran’s continued insistence that its nuclear programme is strictly for peaceful purposes.
Reports also suggest Iran could eventually agree to hand over part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile under the proposed framework.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently stated that Tehran remains willing to assure the international community that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who has reportedly played a mediation role in the talks, expressed optimism that ongoing negotiations could soon produce a positive outcome.
- AFP