Trump Hints at Iran Deal Progress Amid Ongoing Nuke Concerns

On Saturday, President Trump shared that a deal to end the conflict with Iran is “largely negotiated,” although he cautioned that the nuclear program issue remains unresolved.

He noted, in a post to Truth Social from the Oval Office, that while Iran has a track record of backing out of agreements, he was working on the “final aspects” with the regime, referring to it as a “memorandum of peace.”

This sentiment was mirrored by a Pakistani security official involved in the negotiations, who mentioned that the deal was in the process of being “fine-tuned.”

Trump emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz would remain accessible for traffic.

Yet, the unresolved status of Iran’s nuclear program hangs over the discussions, with both nations agreeing to a 30-day grace period to work on a solution.

Iran has historically denied critical components of its nuclear activities and has constructed facilities deep underground.

In 2025, Maj. Gen. Mark Montgomery and an analyst from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies remarked that past administrations led inspectors on a path filled with “ambiguity and outright lies.”

Critics have voiced concerns over any deal that may empower Iran further.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) expressed thoughts on X, suggesting that if the region perceives the deal as enabling the Iranian regime, it would exacerbate conflicts in Lebanon and Iraq.

He cautioned that a deal allowing Iran to thrive could bolster groups like Hezbollah and Shiite militias in Iraq.

Trump’s announcement came shortly after reports indicated the two countries were close to a cease-fire after their lengthy military engagement, prompting worries that Iran might gain even more influence regionally.

Mike Pompeo, who has held high positions under Trump, criticized the prospective deal, labeling it as “absolutely not America first.”

On X, Pompeo outlined concerns that the plan resembles the negotiating approach of past officials, suggesting it could lead to the financing of a weapons program for Iran.

Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) posted that the proposed 60-day ceasefire might ultimately backfire, ruining any gains made during Operation Epic Fury.

Mark Dubowitz, head of a foreign policy think tank, questioned the details of the pending deal and expressed hope that the final terms are more favorable than the leaks indicated.

Trump later reiterated that the agreement had been largely negotiated, involving discussions with key allies. He mentioned that discussions with leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE had taken place, along with a separate call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He stated that the final aspects of the agreement would be revealed soon.

Vice President J.D. Vance was seen returning to D.C. as Trump prepared for meetings with his national security team, including his envoy and son-in-law.

Earlier, Trump suggested he was “50-50” on whether to proceed with the deal or return to bombing Iran, even teasingly posting on social media about America’s stance in the Middle East.

Through Saturday, Trump remained somewhat undecided, engaging with his team and seeking the opinions of key allies.

He articulated, “We will only sign contracts that give us everything we want,” highlighting the importance of a robust deal.

Iran’s latest proposal reportedly focuses on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and allowing an additional 30 days for dialogue.

Trump has consistently insisted that any final agreement must guarantee that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, with ongoing discussions about the country’s enriched uranium, referred to by Trump as “nuclear dust.”

The most recent tensions with Iran began on February 28, following a joint airstrike by the U.S. and Israel.

While the president had previously critiqued Iran’s negotiating habits, he appeared to soften his stance later on, reflecting on their erratic communications. He remarked, “Every time they agree, the next day it’s like that conversation never happened…There’s something wrong with them,” expressing frustration over the past interactions.