President Donald J. Trump announced Sunday that ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program are moving forward, but emphasized that the current U.S. blockade will remain in place until a final agreement is officially certified and signed.
In a statement released on Truth Social, Trump contrasted the current talks with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed under the Obama administration, which he characterized as “one of the worst deals ever made by our Country” and “a direct path to Iran developing a Nuclear Weapon.”
According to Trump, the new round of talks is “proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner.” He stated that he has instructed U.S. negotiators not to rush the process.
“I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” Trump said. “The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed. Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!”
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The administration’s stated objective for the negotiations is to ensure that Iran cannot develop or procure a nuclear weapon. Despite the ongoing economic pressure, Trump reported a shift in the diplomatic dynamic between the two nations, stating, “Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one.”
The statement also addressed broader regional diplomacy, with Trump thanking Middle Eastern nations for their cooperation. He suggested that regional stability would be further strengthened if those countries joined the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization agreements normalized during his first term—and raised the possibility of Iran eventually participating.
“Who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well!” Trump noted.
The Iranian government has not yet issued an official response to the statement regarding the status of the negotiations or the continuation of the blockade.
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