U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed back against criticism surrounding the ceasefire and nuclear negotiations with Iran. The move is interpreted as an effort to manage public opinion and adjust the pace of negotiations as concerns over "excessive concessions" have emerged even within the Republican Party.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, "If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper deal," adding that it "will be entirely different from the way the Obama administration provided massive amounts of cash to Iran and opened the path to nuclear weapons development."
Regarding the ongoing negotiations with Iran, Trump claimed, "Our deal is the exact opposite of the Obama-era deal," while also asserting, "No one has yet seen the contents, and no one actually knows what is in it."
Trump particularly targeted critics of the negotiation framework, saying, "The negotiation is not even completely finished yet," and strongly added, "Don't listen to the losers who talk about something they know nothing about." He repeatedly emphasized the distinction from the previous administration, saying, "I don't make bad deals."
The remarks came amid growing controversy after parts of a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) being pursued by the United States and Iran were recently disclosed through U.S. media. The reported draft is said to contain a two-stage plan that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while continuing negotiations centered on blocking Iran's nuclear development during that period.
However, some within the Republican Party have raised concerns that the plan could effectively buy Iran more time. Senator Lindsey Graham, considered a close ally of Trump, reportedly criticized the framework by referencing the possibility that Iran would maintain its influence in the Middle East, questioning "why the war was started in the first place."
Amid this atmosphere, Trump also disclosed that he had earlier instructed his negotiating team "not to rush the deal." The remark is interpreted as signaling an intent to focus on securing more favorable conditions for the United States rather than hastening a settlement.
Observers both inside and outside the United States suggest that Trump may be calibrating the final stages of negotiations in consideration of pushback from within the Republican Party.
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