Trump Tells Negotiators Not to Rush as US Says Deal Nearly Complete While Iran Rejects Core Terms

After declaring on Saturday night that a peace agreement with Iran had been "largely negotiated" and would be "announced shortly," Trump reversed course within hours. "The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side," he wrote on Truth Social, adding that "the blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed." The shift came after sharp blowback from senior Republican lawmakers who warned the emerging terms could be a "disastrous mistake."

A draft proposal was agreed to early Saturday and sent to the leadership of both nations. Top negotiators including Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner have approved the text. A senior US official briefed reporters that a deal "will be signed in the coming days, though not today," and that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has given "a general agreement" to the terms, with the Iranians providing verbal and written assurances that any permanent deal will include the disposal of all enriched uranium.

Iran's public position directly contradicted those assurances. Iran's Foreign Ministry described the emerging framework as a "Memorandum of Understanding," with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stating it would cover the main issues required for ending the war, with 30 to 60 days following to discuss details, and specified that nuclear issues are not part of current negotiations. Tasnim News Agency, close to the IRGC, reported on Sunday that disagreements between Iran and the US over one or two clauses of the draft MOU are still ongoing , warning that if US obstruction continues, there will be no possibility of finalising the memorandum at all.

Pezeshkian stated Saturday that no decision in Iran will be made without the permission of Supreme Leader Khamenei , and no decision would fall outside the framework of the Supreme National Security Council. He also said Tehran's negotiating team "will not compromise the country's honour and pride in any way," while declaring that Iran is ready to assure the world it is not seeking nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu warned Trump that Israel "maintains freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon," while the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for towns in southern Lebanon, a signal that Israel's military options remain very much active regardless of diplomatic progress elsewhere.

The IRGC issued a statement declaring it stands ready alongside the Army, "with their hand on the trigger," to deliver a "powerful, destructive and regret-inducing response" to any act of aggression, warning that any foolish act by the American-Zionist enemy would bring nothing but humiliation and strategic defeat.

Leaked commercial contracts and shipping documents revealed how Iran's Revolutionary Guards secretly acquired military-grade Chinese satellite communications technology through a UAE-based company in late 2025 , then used it to strike the very country it purchased the technology through. The Chinese-built TEE-01B satellite, acquired for $36.6 million, supported a complete targeting cycle including pre-strike reconnaissance and post-strike damage assessment during Iran's March 2026 attacks on US bases across the region.

What today's events made clear is that the US is publicly asserting a deal is nearly complete while Iran rejects its central conditions, Trump insists he has choices other than diplomacy, Netanyahu presses demands Tehran will never voluntarily accept, and the IRGC keeps its declared posture unchanged.