{"id":72712,"date":"2026-05-27T13:23:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-claims-iran-negotiating-on-fumes-as-deal-talks-continue\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:23:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:23:58","slug":"trump-claims-iran-negotiating-on-fumes-as-deal-talks-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-claims-iran-negotiating-on-fumes-as-deal-talks-continue\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Claims Iran ‘Negotiating on Fumes’ as Deal Talks Continue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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WASHINGTON \u2014 During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed confidence about ongoing negotiations with Iran, claiming the Iranian side is “negotiating on fumes” as talks continue at a critical juncture.<\/p>

The president’s optimism about reaching an agreement comes just days after he stated that his administration and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement, though discussions remain fluid.<\/p>

Trump seeks an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while providing him with a convincing case that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been sufficiently reduced to claim success, bringing closure to a conflict that has proven politically damaging for Republicans.<\/p>

The potential agreement delays many crucial matters for future resolution and has already drawn sharp criticism \u2014 including from some of the president’s own allies \u2014 who argue that Iran’s hardline leadership will emerge from the conflict wounded but strengthened. This development unfolds as midterm elections approach and Republicans express concern that increasing costs and fuel prices are souring voters’ attitudes.<\/p>

Speaking at the beginning of his Cabinet meeting, Trump acknowledged that additional work remains to finalize an agreement, but he expressed confidence that both parties would reach their goal.<\/p>

“They want very much to make a deal,” Trump said. “So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be \u2014 either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”<\/p>

However, discussions became more complex following what the Pentagon described as “defensive” strikes by U.S. forces on missile launch facilities and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran on Monday. The U.S. claimed it acted with “restraint” given the ongoing ceasefire, while Iran condemned the action as evidence of “bad faith and unreliability.”<\/p>

Republican Supporters Express Doubts<\/strong><\/p>

Despite Trump’s assertion that an agreement is achievable, significant differences appear to exist between the U.S. and Iran on several crucial matters. The president also faces criticism from Republican colleagues, including Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas, who believe the terms appear too advantageous for Tehran.<\/p>

These lawmakers oppose elements of the agreement that have become public, arguing they too closely mirror the nuclear deal that Democratic President Barack Obama negotiated with Iran, which Trump abandoned during his first presidency.<\/p>

According to the proposed agreement, Tehran would surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium \u2014 a central Trump requirement \u2014 in exchange for sanctions relief. This information comes from two regional officials and one senior Trump administration official, all speaking anonymously due to the delicate nature of the negotiations.<\/p>

One regional official with direct access to the negotiations explained that the method for Iran’s uranium surrender would be determined during a 60-day period of additional talks. Some material would likely be diluted, while the remainder would be transferred to another country, the official noted.<\/p>

Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a brief technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has not publicly agreed to surrender its uranium.<\/p>

In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump stated that the uranium, believed to be stored beneath nuclear facilities damaged by U.S. airstrikes last year, would either be given to the U.S. or “destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event.” This statement indicates a relaxation of Trump’s earlier demand that the U.S. directly control Iran’s uranium stockpile.<\/p>

Impact on Israel’s Lebanon Operations<\/strong><\/p>

A significant unresolved matter involves whether the ceasefire will extend to Israel’s operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant organization in Lebanon. Iran has demanded that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire agreement negotiated with the United States.<\/p>

The administration appears to maintain flexibility regarding the Lebanon situation. The developing memorandum of understanding calls for a ceasefire between the U.S. and its partners against Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, while also emphasizing Israel’s right to respond to immediate threats and defend itself.<\/p>

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that the Israeli military is “deepening its operation” in Lebanon. During the night, Israel’s military engaged with the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah organization along a strategic river in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces advanced northward.<\/p>

Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, predicted that Israel expects Iran would quickly use any sanctions relief to rebuild its military strength and support proxy organizations, including Hezbollah and Hamas in Gaza.<\/p>

“We’re not done fighting, because the Iranian regime isn’t done,” said Conricus, who serves as a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank.<\/p>

Trump Links Abraham Accords to Iran Agreement<\/strong><\/p>

On Monday, Trump stated that any agreement to conclude the Iran conflict should require several additional nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-facilitated agreements from Trump’s first term designed to normalize diplomatic and economic relationships with Israel.<\/p>

Trump’s expectation that other Middle Eastern and majority Muslim nations could quickly join the accords may be overly optimistic.<\/p>

Saudi Arabia, for instance, the most influential power in the Arab world and long considered the most valuable target for the normalization initiative, has maintained that creating a guaranteed pathway to a Palestinian state remains a prerequisite. This is something that Israel strongly rejects.<\/p>

Trump promoted the Abraham Accords expansion during a weekend call with leaders of Middle Eastern allied nations.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Donald Trump expressed confidence that Iran is eager to reach an agreement during ongoing negotiations aimed at ending their conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The potential deal faces criticism from some Republican lawmakers who worry the terms are too favorable to Tehran.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":72711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[832],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779902638438.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-iUM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":29085,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-weighs-military-action-against-iran-as-nuclear-talks-stall\/","url_meta":{"origin":72712,"position":0},"title":"Trump Weighs Military Action Against Iran as Nuclear Talks Stall","author":"Admin","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Trump is being briefed on potential military strikes against Iran while diplomatic efforts continue through Omani mediators. 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