A deal to end the Iran war seemed close. Then Trump started posting on social media
A deal to end the Iran war seemed close. Then Trump started posting on social media
As the weekend drew near, the U.S. and Iran were nearing a pact to halt the seven-week conflict. However, President Donald Trump’s intervention via social media shifted the momentum. His aides had warned against public commentary during negotiations, yet Trump broke protocol by sharing updates on ongoing discussions with Iranian officials through Twitter and other platforms. This came as his team relayed information from Pakistani intermediaries to reporters, signaling a potential breakthrough.
Trump’s public statements fueled uncertainty
Trump claimed Iran had agreed to significant terms, such as suspending its nuclear program and surrendering enriched uranium. However, sources close to the talks revealed these provisions had not been finalized. Iranian officials publicly dismissed the claims, expressing frustration over the appearance of premature agreement. Their skepticism deepened as Trump highlighted contentious issues, including the U.S. demand for Iran to relinquish its stockpile of near-bomb-grade material.
“The Iranians didn’t appreciate POTUS negotiating through social media and making it appear as if they had signed off on issues they hadn’t yet agreed to, and ones that aren’t popular with their people back home,” said a person familiar with the talks.
Negotiation tensions and internal divisions
American officials noted growing disagreement within Iran’s leadership. While the negotiating team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, was open to dialogue, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps challenged these efforts. This division raised concerns about who would ultimately approve any agreement. Meanwhile, Trump’s insistence on strict terms—like indefinite uranium enrichment suspension—clashed with Iran’s desire to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz.
During earlier talks, U.S. negotiators proposed a 20-year freeze on Iran’s uranium enrichment. Iran countered with a five-year suspension, which the U.S. rejected. A recent Iranian proposal suggested a 10-year pause followed by another decade of limited enrichment. Yet Trump rejected even the 20-year plan, vowing to push for stricter conditions.
Recent incident threatens fragile progress
The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was tested again on Sunday when a U.S. guided-missile destroyer intercepted an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. The ship had attempted to bypass the U.S. naval blockade, prompting a brief confrontation. This incident heightened tensions, complicating efforts to maintain optimism for a deal. As the two-week ceasefire nears its end, Trump faces a critical choice: accept a compromise or reignite hostilities.
Despite the setbacks, Iranian officials showed slight openness to further talks by Monday. However, the details of any pending agreement remained unclear. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s advantage in the negotiations, stating, “The United States has never been closer to a good deal with Iran, unlike the horrible deal made by the Obama Administration, thanks to President Trump’s negotiating ability.” She criticized those who overlooked the president’s strategic approach, calling them “stupid or willfully ignorant.”
The Trump administration is also weighing the release of $20 billion in Iranian assets as a trade-off for the country’s agreement to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile. The flexibility of both sides will determine whether a deal can be finalized before the deadline. Whether Trump chooses to finalize an agreement or escalate the conflict remains uncertain.
