Trump Claims Iran Deal 'Largely Negotiated' as Tehran Suspects Ceasefire Is Ruse for New Attack

Iran's leadership views the emerging US ceasefire proposal with deep suspicion, believing the generous terms may conceal a plan to resume attacks after a brief pause. According to regional officials who spoke to Axios, the deal would have Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to pass toll-free, while the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports. In exchange, Iran would give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with finer details deferred to a 60-day negotiation window. Fortune reports that one expert characterized the dilemma facing Tehran: the more favorable the terms appear, the more Iranian officials worry they are being set up for a future strike. This trust gap persists despite public optimism from Washington.

The skepticism runs both ways. Iranian officials have labeled existing ceasefire arrangements as merely nominal, and the Foreign Ministry has rejected temporary truces as insufficient, according to CryptoBriefing. Iran transmitted its formal response to the US proposal through Pakistani mediators on May 10, warning of decisive retaliation after US strikes targeted Iranian oil tankers. The regime insists that peaceful nuclear technology is its legitimate and inalienable right, a position it will not abandon, Fortune reports.

The framework under discussion represents a significant shift from earlier hardline positions. President Trump announced on May 23 that the agreement was largely negotiated following calls with Israel and regional allies including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, according to PBS and KSBW. The Associated Press reports that the deal would include an official declaration ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and transferring Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile out of the country.

Specific US proposals include sanctions relief, oil waivers, and a reconstruction fund, Iran International reports. The 60-day window would allow time to negotiate the complex details of Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief mechanisms, and the release of frozen Iranian funds. Trump posted on social media that final aspects were being discussed and would be announced shortly, though he provided no timeline. The president also urged patience, stating both sides must take their time and get it right, with no room for mistakes.

The emerging deal faces substantial criticism from within Trump's own party. Some Republicans favor a harder line against Tehran and view the agreement as a squandered opportunity to permanently rein in a longtime regional adversary, according to Fortune. One Trump ally in Congress warned against creating the perception that Tehran controls the Strait of Hormuz, noting it makes one wonder why the war started to begin with. This sentiment reflects broader conservative concern that the administration is conceding too much without securing adequate verification mechanisms.

Trump has dismissed the internal opposition, telling supporters not to listen to the losers who oppose the deal. However, the criticism highlights a genuine policy divide between those who want to declare victory and exit, and those who believe Iran's military capabilities must be fundamentally degraded. The skepticism extends to nuclear verification, with analysts noting that any deal without proper inspection mechanisms amounts to an illusion, as discussed on the Iran: The Latest podcast.

Despite the diplomatic push, military pressure remains central to the US approach. CBS News reports that Trump had previously warned the clock is ticking for Iran to accept a peace agreement, and he called off a scheduled attack only after serious negotiations began. The president has threatened to resume bombing if talks fail, creating a dual-track strategy that reinforces Iranian suspicions about American intentions.

This carrot-and-stick approach has yielded limited results so far. NBC News reported in March that Trump said Iran was ready to negotiate a ceasefire but he was not ready to make a deal because the terms were not good enough yet. Since then, the administration appears to have softened its position substantially, raising questions about what changed. The shifting goals make it difficult to assess the true status of the US effort, as Trump and his aides insist the United States has already won the war while simultaneously negotiating terms that earlier seemed unacceptable.

The immediate stakes center on the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass. Any sustained closure would spike energy prices worldwide, making the reopening a priority for consuming nations. The 60-day negotiation window, if formalized, would test whether the adversaries can bridge fundamental disagreements about Iran's nuclear program and regional role.

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, hosting talks between US Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Ghalibaf, according to the Iran: The Latest podcast. The two-week ceasefire deadline referenced in early reports has already passed, suggesting either an extension or a fluid timeline. Wikipedia's entry on the 2026 Iran war ceasefire notes the conflict began in April 2026, making this a rapidly developing situation with no settled outcome. Whether the current momentum produces a durable agreement or collapses into renewed hostilities depends on whether either side can overcome its deep mutual distrust.