The White House signaled Sunday that any agreement to halt hostilities with Iran remains days away, with approval from Tehran's leadership likely to stretch the timeline further. A senior U.S. official told reporters that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other top officials will need time to review and authorize any final accord.
American negotiators expressed cautious optimism that a deal could materialize within days, though they stopped short of declaring one imminent. Officials acknowledged the fragile state of talks, warning that the agreement could still unravel before both sides commit.
President Trump weighed in Sunday via Truth Social, instructing his representatives to resist pressure to finalize terms quickly. Trump said "both sides must take their time and get it right," underscoring his preference for a deliberate approach over a rushed conclusion.
A successful agreement would ease military tensions and relieve strain on global oil markets that have braced for potential supply disruptions. Yet uncertainty persists about whether any deal can address Trump's stated demands on Iran's nuclear program or produce a durable peace beyond an immediate ceasefire.
The White House did not project that negotiations would conclude by Sunday, setting expectations for a more extended back-and-forth between Washington and Tehran before any document reaches final signatures.
Author James Rodriguez: "The Trump camp's caution suggests they learned from past nuclear diplomacy blunders and want leverage preserved, not rushed concessions that fall apart in six months."
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