Trump Tempers Hopes for Quick US-Iran Deal, Maintains Pressure on Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has lowered expectations for a rapid agreement with Iran, instructing negotiators not to rush while confirming that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until a final deal is reached.

In posts on Truth Social, Trump stated that negotiations are proceeding in an “orderly and constructive manner” but emphasized that time is on Washington’s side. He sharply criticized opponents of a potential deal to end the three-month conflict, calling them “losers,” and renewed his attack on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), accusing the Obama administration of signing “one of the worst deals ever” that provided Iran a path to nuclear weapons.

Trump also shared an image appearing to show a fighter jet armed with a missile inscribed with the message “Thank you for your attention to this matter.” Iran responded with its own image showing wrecked aircraft and missiles, signaling a warning of strong retaliation to any new US attack.

Iran’s nuclear program remains the central sticking point. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and will not make decisions without the approval of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“We are ready for talks,” Pezeshkian said. “Just as we had raised this issue during the time of our martyred supreme leader, we are now also ready to reassure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons. We are not seeking instability in the region. The destabilizing force in the region is Israel.”

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran for a ceremony organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to honor victims of the wars with the US and Israel, including the 12-day war in June of the previous year. One attendee voiced demands for accountability, stating, “If America backs down from its demands and accepts Iran’s conditions, I think we can talk about it. But we cannot ignore the blood of the leader and the children of Minab and we must avenge them.”

Expert Analysis Highlights Challenges

Georgia Cafiero, professor at Georgetown University and CEO of Gulf State Analytics, described the Trump administration’s shifting goals during the conflict that began in late February. He noted that Washington failed to achieve its initial objectives and is now seeking to cut losses, partly due to approaching midterm elections and the economic costs of continued disruption.

“The status quo is having a very disruptive effect on the global economy and that also includes a very harmful impact on the US economy,” Cafiero said, identifying the Strait of Hormuz as a high-priority area for compromise. He suggested Iran may retain some control over the strait it did not hold before the war, but an arrangement to keep it open could be possible.

On the nuclear issue, Cafiero observed that any eventual deal might resemble elements of the 2015 JCPOA — the agreement Trump has long criticized — though with modifications allowing Trump to present it as superior. He warned that optimism should be cautious, citing deep Iranian distrust stemming from past talks collapsing into conflict and Israel’s potential spoiling role.

Regarding Israel, Cafiero explained that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted any deal must completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat. However, he noted that if the Trump administration applies sufficient leverage, including potential cuts to military and economic aid, Israel would likely have to accept a diplomatic agreement despite its preference for continued military pressure.

Cafiero also highlighted growing autonomy among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, particularly Saudi Arabia’s moves toward a non-aggression pact with Iran. He attributed this to diminished confidence in the US security umbrella following recent events, prompting GCC countries to pursue local solutions and diversify defense partnerships rapidly.

Both sides face significant concessions on nuclear issues, the Strait of Hormuz, and broader regional security, with missile programs also noted as a past but currently sidelined point of contention. Negotiations continue amid these complex dynamics.