President Donald Trump said on social media that the United States will not “rush into” a deal with Iran as talks to end the war continue, insisting negotiators should take their time and get any agreement right. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that “time is on our side,” vowed that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in force until any deal is signed and certified, and rejected criticism from opponents, saying “I don’t make bad deals.”
Reports from multiple outlets say negotiators are close to a memorandum of understanding that could extend the current ceasefire by 60 days while parties negotiate a more permanent settlement. According to those reports, the draft would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allow Iran to sell oil more freely by lifting some sanctions, and keep US forces in the region while a longer-term deal is finalized. It would also include commitments from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons — though details on verification and timelines remain unclear.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the draft was still unresolved over “one or two clauses” and warned an agreement could still be cancelled at the last minute. A key outstanding issue appears to be frozen Iranian assets: Tehran has long demanded the release of funds held abroad under US sanctions, and that demand remains a sticking point in negotiations.
Domestic political reaction in the US was swift and mixed. Some Democrats and many Republicans criticized the emerging outline. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D–Maryland) said the reported terms sounded like a return to the pre-war status quo and called the approach a blunder. Republican defense policy leader Roger Wicker warned a 60-day ceasefire could undo gains from recent military action. Senator Thom Tillis (R–North Carolina) questioned how accepting Iran’s nuclear material remaining in the country could be justified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Trump agree that any final deal must “eliminate the nuclear danger” posed by Iran, meaning the dismantling of enrichment sites and removal of enriched material from Iranian territory. Israeli outlets reported Netanyahu privately expressed concerns about a draft that would postpone decisive action on Iran’s nuclear program for 60 days and that might include Lebanon in the ceasefire; Israel has been particularly wary of any arrangement that limits operations against Hezbollah.
International leaders offered cautious support while urging stronger safeguards. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed progress but said any agreement must truly de-escalate the conflict, ensure full freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and halt Tehran’s destabilizing regional activities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the prospect of a settlement that ends the fighting and reopens the strait, while stressing the importance of preventing Iranian nuclear armament.
Pakistan, which has been involved as a conduit for talks, described the negotiations as achieving “meaningful progress.” Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar commended sustained engagement by the US and said the talks offered grounds for optimism. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was prepared to help implement any agreement and argued that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would support regional stability and global economic relief. US Senator Marco Rubio, speaking from New Delhi, said he expected that good news might emerge soon but left announcement timing to the president.
Beyond the diplomacy, reports from Iran underscore the human cost of the broader conflict and domestic repression. Iranian state-linked media reported the execution of a man accused of spying for the US and Israel; rights groups have documented a significant increase in executions in recent years. Observers also point to severe internet restrictions in Iran, where access to the wider web has become increasingly limited and expensive for ordinary citizens.
Negotiators face a delicate balance: securing immediate de-escalation and the reopening of key shipping lanes while ensuring robust verification and steps that address long-term nuclear concerns and regional security dynamics. Trump’s insistence on caution and his public affirmation that the blockade will remain until terms are final reflect the administration’s effort to maintain leverage, even as regional and international actors press for a rapid, durable resolution.