Trump Says Iran Deal 'Not Fully Done,' Blockade To Stay Until Signing
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Saturday that a final agreement with Iran remains "not fully negotiated," and he ordered the U.S. economic blockade of Tehran to stay in place until a deal is reached, verified, and formally signed. The remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform, came as tensions remained high across the Middle East and as administration officials struggled to finalize terms after weeks of on-again, off-again diplomacy.
"In Iran, we are negotiating in a very orderly and constructive manner," Trump wrote. "I have told our negotiators-do not rush. Time is on America's side. Do not listen to the losers who criticize something they know nothing about. The deal is not fully done yet."
The president's tone reflected both frustration with the slow pace of talks and confidence that U.S. pressure would force Iran to concede on core demands, including the end of high-enrichment uranium production and full transparency of its nuclear program. "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump declared in a separate statement earlier this week. "This will end soon."
Military and Diplomatic Tensions Escalate
The administration has alternated between aggressive military posturing and tentative diplomatic outreach in recent days. On May 22, Trump convened an emergency meeting of his national security team-including Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director Ratcliffe, and White House Chief of Staff Wiles-to review options if negotiations collapsed. Officials said the president had grown "increasingly frustrated" with what one participant described as "excruciatingly slow" talks, with draft texts shuttling back and forth but yielding little substantive progress.
During that session, Trump seriously considered authorizing a "decisive, final" military strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, according to people familiar with the discussion. The strike, officials said, would be designed to cripple Iran's ability to retaliate and allow Trump to declare victory and end the conflict. No final decision was made, but the Pentagon was instructed to update strike plans and position assets in the region.
By late May 22, the mood had shifted again. Trump canceled a planned weekend trip to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey-where he was to attend his son Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding-and announced he would remain at the White House "due to special government circumstances" related to the Iran crisis. Military and intelligence personnel were told to cancel Memorial Day weekend leave, and U.S. bases in the Middle East raised security alert levels.
Last-Minute Diplomacy and Regional Pressures
On May 23, Trump signaled a possible path back to diplomacy, saying he would meet with his negotiating team-including special envoy Witkoff and senior advisor Kushner-to review Iran's latest proposals, with a decision on military action possible by May 24. "It could go two ways," he said. "Either we do a great deal, or we hit them like never before."
Regional allies have played a critical role in pushing for a negotiated settlement. Trump said he had spoken by phone in recent days with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, as well as Pakistan's army chief, who has mediated between Washington and Tehran. "They all want peace," Trump wrote. "We are very close."
Secretary of State Rubio, speaking in India on May 24, said the draft agreement had won "support from seven or eight Middle Eastern countries" and that the U.S. was prepared to keep negotiating. The emerging framework, officials said, would include a commitment by Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping-a key U.S. demand-and a pledge to suspend high-enrichment uranium production. In return, the U.S. would ease some sanctions and agree to 30 days of further technical talks to finalize a comprehensive nuclear deal.
Iran Rejects Key U.S. Claims; Oil Markets React
Iranian officials have pushed back strongly against Trump's upbeat assessment. On May 23, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei denied that a final deal was "90 percent done," as some U.S. officials had claimed. He insisted that control over the Strait of Hormuz-through which roughly 30% of global oil supplies pass-remains "exclusively Iran's sovereign right" and that Tehran would not cede authority over shipping lanes.
"Negotiations are ongoing, but the U.S. side must respect Iran's red lines," Baghaei said. "We will not accept any deal that undermines our national sovereignty or nuclear rights."
Markets reacted cautiously to the mixed signals. Brent crude oil fell more than 4.5% on May 24, dropping to a two-week low, as traders bet that a diplomatic breakthrough would ease supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Gold prices also declined, while U.S. stock futures edged higher on reduced geopolitical risk.
Uncertainty Remains as Talks Continue
As of Sunday, May 25, White House officials said a final signing was "still days away" and required approval from Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. The two sides were expected to continue technical negotiations in the coming days, with mediators shuttling between Washington, Tehran, and regional capitals.
Trump, meanwhile, struck a defiant tone, insisting he would not accept a "bad deal" and that military force remained on the table. "If we make a deal, it will be a great deal for America and for the world," he said. "If not, Iran will be destroyed. It's that simple."
