President Donald Trump instructed U.S. representatives not to rush negotiations regarding a pending cease-fire agreement with Iran, he said.
The pause in the process is intended to ensure that nuclear issues are not sidelined and that the final agreement is properly certified and signed. This cautious approach aims to avoid criticism regarding the handling of sensitive nuclear materials during the finalization phase.
According to the president, the two parties have reached approximately 95% [1] of a cease-fire agreement. The terms of the deal include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the disposal of enriched uranium.
Trump said he directed U.S. representatives to never rush the process. He said that both sides must take sufficient time to complete the task correctly.
Despite the proximity to a final deal, the U.S. will maintain current sanctions for another five to seven days [2] while the agreement is finalized. Trump said that blockade measures will remain in place until the reach of the agreement, certification, and signing are complete.
U.S. officials said that this window allows for the necessary verification of the terms. The delay ensures that the commitment to dispose of enriched uranium is legally binding, and technically verified before sanctions are lifted.
“Agreement is 95% complete”
The decision to maintain sanctions for several more days suggests a strategic emphasis on verification over speed. By prioritizing the certification of enriched uranium disposal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. administration is attempting to secure a durable agreement that withstands domestic and international scrutiny regarding nuclear proliferation.
