President Trump is examining Iran's latest diplomatic proposal but has signaled strong doubts about its viability, casting fresh uncertainty over nuclear negotiations at a delicate moment.
The assessment comes just a day after Trump rejected the offer outright. He later walked back those comments, saying he had only received a briefing on the broad framework of the agreement rather than reviewing the full proposal itself.
Trump's shifting statements underscored the tension between his public rejection and the ongoing evaluation happening behind the scenes. The clarification suggested his initial dismissal may have come before a complete review of Iran's terms.
The move reflects a familiar Trump pattern of keeping maximum pressure on negotiating partners while leaving diplomatic channels technically open. By expressing doubt now while technically still reviewing, he maintains leverage without entirely closing the door.
Iran's offer represents another attempt to restart talks after years of deteriorating relations. The proposal's specifics have not been disclosed publicly, though Trump's characterization suggests significant gaps between Tehran's expectations and what Washington would accept.
The fate of any potential agreement likely hinges on whether Trump's review process produces a fundamentally different assessment or simply confirms his initial instinct to reject it. His hesitation signals that narrowing the divide will require substantial movement from Iran's side.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's diplomatic hedging game continues, but his skepticism reads as genuine, not tactical posturing."
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