Trump says Iran deal 'largely negotiated'

Donald Trump said on May 24 that negotiations with Iran were proceeding in an “orderly and constructive manner,” while adding that he had told U.S. negotiators “not to rush into a deal” because “time is on our side.” A day earlier, Trump had said a peace arrangement tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz had been “largely negotiated.” Marco Rubio said in New Delhi on May 24 that progress had been made in the previous 48 hours on an outline that could help resolve the situation around the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. secretary of state said there was a possibility of “good news” in the next few hours, while cautioning that more work remained. (upr.org) Iranian and Israeli responses showed how incomplete the emerging arrangement remained. NPR reported that Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said there were still wide disagreements, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any final agreement must remove the nuclear threat by dismantling Iran’s enrichment sites and removing enriched material from Iranian territory. (usnews.com) ### What, exactly, is Trump saying has been negotiated? Trump said on May 23 that an agreement had been “largely negotiated,” subject to finalization among the United States, Iran and other countries. He linked that framework to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway at the center of the current energy and shipping disruption. (upr.org) Al Arabiya, citing senior sources, reported that the immediate document under discussion was a memorandum of understanding rather than a final settlement. That report said the memorandum would be followed by negotiations on outstanding issues, including Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, over 30 to 60 days. (cnbc.com) ### Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter so much here? Rubio said in India that attacks on commercial vessels were “totally illegal,” and Jaishankar said India supported safe maritime passage. Reuters reported that the two sides discussed energy supplies and shipping concerns alongside the Iran conflict, reflecting the strait’s role in global oil flows. (english.alarabiya.net) Trump said on May 24 that the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz would remain in force until an agreement was “reached, certified, and signed.” That language suggested Washington was still using access to the waterway as leverage even while presenting the talks as near completion. ### Who else is involved besides Washington and Tehran? (usnews.com) Trump said he had spoken on May 23 with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain about a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE.” He also said he had spoken with Netanyahu and that the call “went very well.” (upr.org) NPR reported that Pakistani officials were presenting the diplomacy as a breakthrough. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X that the negotiations offered grounds for optimism that a positive and durable outcome was within reach, according to NPR. ### Why are Israel and Iran still signaling objections? (upr.org) Netanyahu said on May 24 that he and Trump agreed any final agreement with Iran “must eliminate the nuclear danger.” He said that meant dismantling Iran’s enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory, a public marker of Israel’s position as negotiations continue. (upr.org) Iranian outlets were more skeptical. Fars said Trump’s assertion that Iran would no longer control access through the strait was “inconsistent with reality,” according to NPR, while Tasnim said differences remained over one or two clauses, according to Al Arabiya and Bloomberg. ### What happens next? (upr.org) Al Arabiya reported that Pakistan could announce the memorandum without the negotiating parties being present and that the next round of U.S.-Iran talks could be held on June 5. Rubio, speaking in New Delhi on May 24, said more could be said later in the day if additional progress was made. (english.alarabiya.net) (upr.org)