▲ President Donald Trump
On the 24th local time, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he instructed the American representatives involved in the war-ending negotiations with Iran “not to rush to a deal.”
President Trump explained this in a post on social media platform Truth Social, stating that “(The negotiations with Iran) are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner.”
Regarding the reason for instructing not to rush a deal, President Trump claimed that “time is on our side.”
He emphasized, “The naval blockade against Iran will remain in full and complete effect until a deal is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides need to take their time and get it right. There mustn’t be any mistakes.”
Furthermore, he added, “We and Iran are developing a professional and productive relationship” and urged Iran to “understand that they cannot develop or acquire nuclear weapons or a nuclear bomb.”
President Trump criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, calling it “one of the worst deals our country ever made,” asserting that “It was pushed and concluded by Barack Hussein Obama and his administration’s amateurs. It paved the way for Iran to develop nuclear weapons.”
He clarified, “The deal the Trump administration is currently negotiating with Iran is not like that. In fact, it’s precisely the opposite.”
Amid reports suggesting that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement is imminent, President Trump’s message of ‘not rushing’ is seen as psychological pressure on Iran and a response to domestic criticism that the U.S. might concede too much on nuclear issues for an early resolution.
Towards the end of his post, President Trump expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation shown by all Middle Eastern countries so far, saying, “This will be further strengthened as they join the historic ‘Abraham Accords.’ Maybe the Islamic Republic of Iran will also want to join.”
The Abraham Accords were concluded during Trump’s first term to normalize relations between Israel and surrounding Arab countries, and President Trump is working to expand this agreement among Arab nations.
About two hours before posting this message, President Trump shared on his Truth Social account an image of a U.S. bomber striking Iranian vessels at sea, with the phrase ‘Adios’, suggesting a farewell. This post leaves room for various interpretations, including a pressure message that if the peace agreement fails, attacks on Iran might resume for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, or that the end of the Iran war is near.