Trump Says U.S. Will Not Rush Into Iran Deal as Negotiations Cool
President Trump signaled a more cautious approach to ending the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on Sunday, backing away from earlier statements suggesting a deal was imminent. Secretary of State Rubio said progress has been made in the past 48 hours with Gulf region partners.
The Shift in Tone
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will not "rush into a deal" to end the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, after senior Republican lawmakers warned it could be a "disastrous mistake." "Time is on our side," he wrote in a post on Truth Social, a step back from earlier public statements from Trump and officials from both nations that had indicated a deal was close to being announced.
Recent Diplomatic Progress
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India on Sunday morning that there had been "some progress over the last 48 hours working with our partners in the Gulf region," adding: "Perhaps there is the possibility that over the next few hours the world will get some good news." Iranian state media reported Sunday that a deal could see the lifting of oil sanctions and the end to a U.S. blockade of its ports, with a return to "pre-war levels" of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.
Nuclear Negotiations and Regional Support
A 60-day negotiation period would be set for discussions on the nuclear issue, Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian added Sunday that his country was "ready to assure the world" that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, according to state media. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar commended "President Trump's leadership and commitment to dialogue and diplomacy" following the call, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said his country stands "ready to provide every kind of support during the implementation phase of a potential agreement with Iran."
Prior Threats Remain
Despite the diplomatic momentum, Trump told the news outlet there was a "50/50" chance of making a "good" deal or "blow[ing] them to kingdom come." The negotiations represent attempts to resolve a conflict that has now lasted several months with sporadic truces and escalations.