Donald Trump Tells U.S. Negotiators Not To Rush Iran Deal On 60-Day Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump told U.S. negotiators "not to rush into a deal" with Iran as reports suggested an agreement was close, with the talks centered on a 60-day ceasefire extension and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The BBC reported that the deal under discussion involved a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and further negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme, while Iranian media said there were still "one or two" points of disagreement.

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Trump said in a social media post that talks were proceeding "constructive" but that "both sides must take their time and get it right," and he said on Saturday an agreement had been "largely negotiated."

The BBC also reported that Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said progress in talks did not mean agreements would be reached on key issues.

The CNBC report added that the deal would include a memorandum of understanding as a first phase, with broader talks within 30 to 60 days, and that Iran's foreign ministry said the memorandum would precede those negotiations.

As the U.S. and Iran neared a memorandum of understanding, the BBC said Iranian officials signaled progress but foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that did not mean agreements would be reached on key issues.

The BBC also quoted Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter? No—this is Iran story; instead, it reported that the mooted deal split Republicans, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it "a disastrous mistake" and Roger Wicker saying a 60-day ceasefire would mean "everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for naught!".

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CNBC reported that Iran's Fars news agency dismissed Trump's announcement of reopening the strait as part of a "largely negotiated" deal as "incomplete and inconsistent with reality."

CNBC further said Reuters quoted a senior Iranian source as saying Tehran had not agreed to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and that the nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement with the U.S.

In parallel, the Jerusalem Post reported that Iran denied agreeing to give up any enriched uranium in a US ceasefire deal and said the nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement, citing a source told Reuters on Sunday morning.

The BBC said Washington's blockade of Iranian ports, in place since early April, would remain "in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed," while Iran continued to control the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the waterway through which around 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas travels.

The BBC also reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said "significant" but "not final" progress had been made in the negotiations, and he hinted at good news on Hormuz by saying progress over the past 48 hours could result in a "completely open strait... without tolls".

CNBC said the deal would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing the U.S. naval blockade, while also noting that the memorandum of understanding would be followed by broader talks within 30 to 60 days.

The Guardian reported that the proposed deal would involve a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the strait of Hormuz would be reopened and talks on limiting Iran's nuclear programme would be held, with the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ports in exchange.

At the same time, the Guardian said a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday that Tehran had not agreed to hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and that Iran's nuclear issue was not part of the preliminary agreement with the U.S.