Trump Says Washington Not in Rush to Sign Deal with Iran as Blockade Stands
Trump says he will not rush to sign a deal with Iran, keeping the Strait of Hormuz blockade until sanctions, frozen assets and nuclear issues are resolved.
President Donald Trump has instructed his negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran as talks over an end to the three-month war showed fresh signs of strain on Monday. The president said the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will remain “in full force and effect” until any agreement is signed, certified and implemented, tempering earlier optimism about a near-term breakthrough. Iranian media reported outstanding disagreements on critical points, including the release of frozen funds and the scope of sanctions relief, leaving the prospect of a final accord uncertain.
Trump Holds Back on Immediate Signature
Mr. Trump’s public statement late Sunday followed a day in which he had suggested a deal had been “largely negotiated,” creating expectations of an imminent settlement to the conflict. The president’s subsequent insistence that negotiators should not be rushed signals a hardening of conditions from Washington and a demand for a fully vetted, signed agreement. The administration framed the move as a precaution to ensure all terms are properly certified before US forces relax restrictions in the strategic waterway.
Key Disputes Remain Over Frozen Assets and Nuclear Material
Iranian outlets aligned with the Revolutionary Guard said Tehran’s demand for the release of billions in frozen funds remains a major sticking point, a view echoed in reports of other unresolved items. US officials have described Iran’s agreement “in principle” on some measures, including the planned disposal of highly enriched uranium, but have not provided details that would resolve doubts. The juxtaposition of progress “in principle” and continuing disagreement over finances and verification highlights the technical and political challenges still to be bridged.
US Political Pressure and Hawkish Dissent
Senior US officials, speaking to reporters abroad, emphasized that Washington would prefer a negotiated settlement but would not accept a “bad deal.” Secretary of State comments underscored a “pretty solid” proposal on the table while reiterating that the president would reject terms he judged inimical to US interests. At the same time, prominent Republican hawks have intensified pressure against a negotiated exit, warning against concessions to Tehran and complicating the domestic political calculus facing the administration.
Iranian Response and Domestic Developments
Tehran offered no immediate official reaction to the president’s latest remarks, but state-linked media signaled continued mistrust and highlighted points of friction. Iranian authorities also reported the execution of a man charged in connection with nationwide antigovernment protests earlier this year, underscoring domestic tensions that could affect Tehran’s negotiating stance. Shipping movements through the Gulf showed gradual resumption, with an LNG tanker heading to Pakistan and a supertanker leaving after months stranded, reflecting the war’s continuing effect on regional maritime traffic.
Regional Military Activity Persists Amid Diplomacy
Despite diplomatic threads, military incidents continued in neighbouring theatres, illustrating the fragile security environment that diplomacy must overcome. In southern Lebanon, Israeli air strikes damaged civilian homes and the Israeli military reported combat fatalities, even as leaders in Beirut commemorated Resistance and Liberation Day and urged continued negotiations. Reports of drones over Beirut and evacuations in strike zones point to a persistent risk that localized clashes could complicate or derail broader talks.
Economic and Market Ripples Linked to Conflict and Talks
Markets and energy consumers have continued to react to both the conflict and the ebb and flow of negotiation signals. State-owned fuel retailers in India raised petrol and diesel prices again this month, a direct attempt to offset higher crude costs tied to regional instability. At the same time, global equities showed risk appetite in pockets, with major indices buoyed by hopes of de-escalation even as uncertainty over a final deal kept investors cautious.
As discussions proceed, the immediate outlook remains one of cautious diplomacy underpinned by firm military and economic levers from Washington and reciprocal demands from Tehran. The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is likely to remain a central bargaining chip until negotiators can deliver verifiable terms on sanctions, frozen assets and nuclear dismantlement. Whether the “in principle” understandings reported by officials can be translated into a signed and certified agreement will depend on rapid clarification of technical details and the political will on both sides to accept and implement a final settlement.
