May 26, 2026 | 06:43 am
Donald Trump. Doc. White House
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran to end the ongoing conflict are progressing in an “orderly and constructive manner,” while emphasizing that Washington would not rush into signing a final agreement with Tehran.As reported by multiple international media outlets, including DW (Deutsche Welle), tensions remain high despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, with several key issues still unresolved between the two countries.Trump stated on Sunday that he had instructed US negotiators “not to rush into a deal,” arguing that “time is on our side.” He also confirmed that the US blockade on Iran would remain in effect until a formal agreement is completed and signed.“The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes.”The US president also defended the ongoing negotiations amid criticism from both Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Trump insisted the agreement was still under discussion and denied reports suggesting the deal had already been finalized.“I don’t make bad deals!” Trump wrote in another post, responding to criticism over the reported framework of the negotiations.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington and Tehran already have “a pretty solid thing on the table” regarding efforts to end the conflict. Speaking during an official visit to New Delhi, Rubio said the negotiations involve opening strategic maritime routes and beginning time-limited talks over Iran’s nuclear program.“There’s a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits open, enter into a very real, significant, time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matter,” Rubio told reporters.However, Iranian media signaled that major disagreements remain unresolved.According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, several key clauses in the proposed agreement are still under dispute, including the issue of Iranian assets frozen abroad under long-standing US sanctions.Iran has repeatedly demanded the release of those assets as part of any final agreement.Tasnim also reported that Tehran insists any deal must address all regional conflicts linked to the war, including the situation in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group engaged in hostilities with Israel.Iran is also reportedly demanding guarantees regarding the withdrawal of US military forces stationed in neighboring Gulf countries surrounding Iranian territory.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile reaffirmed Israel’s position that any agreement with Iran must completely eliminate what he described as the “nuclear threat.”“President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear danger,” Netanyahu said in a statement Sunday.He added that such an agreement must include dismantling Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from Iranian territory.Iran has consistently denied accusations that its nuclear program is intended to develop nuclear weapons, insisting that its activities are for peaceful civilian purposes.The negotiations come as Trump faces growing domestic criticism over the potential agreement.Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the reported outlines of the deal, calling it “little more than the pre-war status quo.”Republican lawmakers also expressed concerns. Senator Roger Wicker warned that agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran could undermine recent US military operations, while Senator Thom Tillis questioned reports suggesting Iran might still retain nuclear material under the proposed agreement.Despite the criticism, Trump described relations between Washington and Tehran as becoming “much more professional and productive.”He also suggested that Iran could eventually join the Abraham Accords, the US-backed normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries launched during Trump’s first presidential term.“Who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords as well,” Trump wrote.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed what she described as “progress toward an agreement,” although negotiations remain ongoing and no final deal has been announced.Read: Trump Clashes With US Supreme Court Ahead of Key RulingsClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
