President Donald Trump said the U.S. embargo on Iran will remain in full force until a fully approved and signed agreement is reached [1].
This stance signals a high-pressure approach to nuclear negotiations, ensuring the U.S. maintains economic leverage over Tehran until every term of a new deal is formally ratified.
Trump made the statement on Sunday, May 24, 2026 [1], during remarks directed at his representatives involved in the U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations [1]. The president said the blockade would not be eased prematurely to incentivize a rushed agreement.
"The blockade will remain fully in place on Iran until a certified and signed agreement is reached," Trump said [1].
Reports indicate that the president said his envoys should not rush the process of finalizing the deal [3]. This caution comes as the U.S. continues to monitor Iranian nuclear activity and regional stability.
To underscore the current posture of the U.S. military and diplomatic presence, Trump shared an image featuring a U.S. ship striking Iranian vessels [3]. The move serves as a visual reminder of the military capabilities backing the economic sanctions.
Other sources confirmed the president's position, saying the embargo will stay active and at full strength until a resolution is found [2]. The administration's insistence on a signed document suggests that verbal agreements, or preliminary frameworks, will not be sufficient to trigger sanctions relief.
Negotiators now face the challenge of bridging the gap between U.S. demands for a comprehensive, signed treaty and Iran's desire for immediate economic relief.
“The blockade will remain fully in place on Iran until a certified and signed agreement is reached”
By tying the removal of the embargo strictly to a signed and approved document, the U.S. is eliminating the possibility of incremental sanctions relief. This strategy aims to force Iran into a more comprehensive concession by making the total lifting of economic pressure the only possible reward for a final agreement.
