President Donald Trump said he has instructed American negotiators to take their time while working toward a new nuclear deal with Iran.
The move signals a strategy of prolonged pressure on Tehran, linking the removal of U.S. economic restrictions directly to the signing of a certified agreement.
Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social on June 13, 2024 [1]. He said that the U.S. blockade will remain in place until a final deal is reached, certified, and signed [2]. This directive comes as the administration seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation and regional instability [5].
The timing of the statement followed military escalation in the region. Trump's comments occurred hours after Israel conducted airstrikes against the Iranian cities of Tehran and Natanz on June 12, 2024 [4].
While the president expressed a willingness to allow negotiators more time, his tone toward the Iranian government remained aggressive. He said he was not happy with the latest talks but would grant the team more time [3]. However, he also warned that if Iran does not make a deal, the whole country is going to get blown up [6].
Other reports indicate a contradictory sense of urgency, with some sources stating Trump urged Iran to agree to the deal before there is nothing left [7]. Despite these varying signals, the core requirement remains the same: the blockade will not be lifted without a certified signature [2].
Trump's approach combines diplomatic patience for his own team with an ultimatum for the Iranian leadership. By keeping the blockade active, the U.S. maintains economic leverage over Tehran during the negotiation process.
“The blockade will remain until a final deal is reached, certified, and signed.”
This strategy suggests a 'maximum pressure' campaign where the U.S. uses the threat of total economic isolation and the backdrop of regional military strikes to force Iran into a more restrictive nuclear agreement. By instructing negotiators to take their time, the administration avoids the appearance of desperation, shifting the burden of urgency onto Tehran while maintaining the blockade as a primary tool of coercion.
