President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States will take a slower approach in ongoing negotiations with Iran, signaling caution as criticism from Republican allies grows and energy markets remain under pressure.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said talks with Tehran were moving forward in “an orderly and constructive manner” and stressed that he had directed U.S. negotiators “not to rush into a deal.” The statement arrived after several conservative lawmakers publicly questioned reports surrounding a possible agreement between Washington and Iran.
The emerging framework reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire period while nuclear negotiations continue. Critics argue the proposal allows Iran to keep nuclear material inside the country during that process, a detail that has triggered backlash among some Republicans.
Trump attempted to separate the current talks from the nuclear agreement negotiated during former President Barack Obama’s administration. He called the earlier accord one of the “worst deals ever made” and accused it of creating “a direct path to Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon.”
“Not so with the transaction currently being negotiated with Iran by the Trump Administration – THE EXACT OPPOSITE, in fact!,” Trump wrote.
He also emphasized that economic and military leverage remained on the U.S. side. Trump said restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz would stay in place until a final agreement was completed.
“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” added Trump, saying a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would be in full effect until a final deal was “reached, certified, and signed.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Its disruption has already pushed fuel prices higher across global markets, increasing pressure on the White House as Americans face rising gasoline costs.
Trump also warned Iran that nuclear weapons development would remain a red line for the United States.
“Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes! Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one. They must understand, however, that they cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” Trump wrote.
Republican criticism intensified over the weekend. Some conservatives argued the proposed deal resembles the Obama-era framework Trump withdrew from during his first term. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo became one of the loudest critics, suggesting the current negotiations sounded similar to policies crafted by Obama officials.
Pompeo’s comments drew a sharp response from White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung, who defended the administration’s strategy and rejected comparisons between the two agreements.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s longtime allies, also voiced concern, though Trump did not directly address Graham or other Republican critics in his statement.
Sen. Thom Tillis escalated the criticism during a CNN appearance Sunday, where he questioned both the deal and recent Pentagon messaging about Iran’s military capabilities.
“We were told about 11 weeks about by Hegseth and the Department of Defense that they had obliterated Iran’s defenses and it was just a matter of time before we had the nuclear material. Now we are talking about a posture where we may accept the nuclear material remaining in Iran? How does that make sense at all?,” Tillis said.
The negotiations also carry broader geopolitical implications. Trump thanked Middle Eastern nations involved in supporting diplomatic efforts and floated the possibility that Iran could eventually join the Abraham Accords, the regional normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations.
“I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords and, who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well!” he wrote.
The administration now faces a difficult balancing act: preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear program while calming concerns inside Trump’s own political base and easing economic pressure tied to rising energy prices.
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