Trump Says Iran Deal Not “Fully Negotiated Yet” Amid Fragile Middle East Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a proposed agreement between the United States and Iran is “not fully negotiated yet,” signaling continued uncertainty despite growing international expectations of a breakthrough in the ongoing Middle East crisis. Trump’s remarks came as Washington and Tehran appear to be moving cautiously toward a broader ceasefire and nuclear-related framework intended to ease tensions that have destabilized global oil markets and threatened security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters and on social media, Trump insisted that any eventual agreement would be “good and proper,” while also warning against rushing negotiations. The comments marked a noticeable shift from earlier statements in which he claimed the agreement was “largely negotiated” and nearing finalization. White House officials have since adopted a more cautious tone, acknowledging that several critical issues remain unresolved.
At the center of the negotiations is the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass. Reports indicate that the proposed framework could include temporary sanctions relief for Iran, limited reopening of Iranian oil exports, phased unfreezing of Iranian assets, and maritime security guarantees in exchange for restrictions on uranium enrichment and regional military activity.
However, Iranian officials have publicly disputed Trump’s optimistic characterization of the talks. Iranian state-linked media outlets said no comprehensive agreement has been finalized and stressed that Tehran would not surrender control over Hormuz or abandon what it calls its sovereign nuclear rights. The contradictory messaging highlights the deep mistrust that continues to define U.S.-Iran relations even as diplomacy advances.
The negotiations are reportedly being facilitated through regional intermediaries, including Pakistan and Gulf nations, as part of efforts to prevent a wider regional war. Analysts say the talks could eventually evolve into a broader security arrangement involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Gulf shipping routes. The possibility of a ceasefire and renewed oil exports has already influenced global markets, with oil prices falling sharply on expectations that Hormuz could reopen fully in the coming weeks.
Despite signs of progress, political resistance is intensifying inside the United States. Several Republican lawmakers and conservative national security figures have criticized Trump’s emerging approach, arguing that any agreement resembling the 2015 Iran nuclear deal would weaken U.S. leverage and embolden Tehran. Critics also question whether Iran would fully comply with new restrictions after years of confrontation and proxy conflicts across the Middle East.
For now, diplomats say negotiations remain fluid and could still collapse if disagreements over sanctions, military guarantees, or nuclear inspections persist. Trump’s latest statement appears aimed at lowering expectations while keeping diplomatic channels open, as both sides attempt to balance domestic political pressures with the urgent need to avoid further escalation in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
