President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had instructed U.S. negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran, even as anticipation grew that an agreement to end the war in the Middle East was within reach. Trump posted the remarks on his Truth Social account, insisting the blockade on Iranian ports would remain until any agreement was fully certified and signed.

What did Trump say about the Iran deal negotiations?

Trump said talks were proceeding in an “orderly and constructive manner” but that time was on the U.S. side, giving no reason to hurry. He said the naval blockade of Iranian ports would stay in full force until an agreement was reached, certified, and signed. He also criticized the 2015 nuclear deal struck under former president Barack Obama.

Why has the U.S. imposed a blockade on Iran?

The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, after Tehran virtually halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route, and its closure raised immediate concerns about oil markets and international trade.

How close is a U.S.-Iran agreement?

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday that the two sides were nearing a memorandum of understanding, described as a framework agreement of 14 clauses, representing a trend toward rapprochement. Trump himself wrote on Saturday that a deal was “largely negotiated” but remained “subject to finalization.” The White House has not released the details publicly.

What are Trump’s conditions for a final Iran nuclear deal?

Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night that he would not sign a final agreement unless Iran fully dismantled its nuclear program and removed all enriched uranium from its territory. A senior Israeli official told AFP that Trump made clear he would remain firm on both conditions throughout the negotiations. Netanyahu, in the same call, stressed that Israel would preserve its freedom of action on all fronts, including Lebanon, and Trump expressed support for that position.

Why is the Iran deal facing political opposition in the U.S.?

Bipartisan opposition emerged in Washington overnight, with several current and former lawmakers and officials criticizing aspects of the emerging deal that had begun to leak publicly. The Hill reported that Republican criticism in particular had prompted Trump’s public warning against rushing. Trump acknowledged the pressure by urging that “both sides must take their time and get it right.”