U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was not sure Washington should reach a deal with Iran unless more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements from his first term aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.
“I’m not sure we should make the deal,” Trump said, adding that he was “requesting strongly” that additional countries sign on.
Trump says no Iran deal yet, US not satisfied
(Video: White House)
Asked whether an Iran deal was contingent on that, Trump said: “I don’t want to say that.”
Trump also said Iran “very much” wants a deal, but that Washington is not yet satisfied with the terms under discussion.
“So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Trump said any deal must immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure no country controls the key oil route.
“We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it,” he said. “That’s part of the negotiation that we have.”
Trump said the United States was not discussing sanctions relief for Iran and would “keep control of the money.” He also said he would not be comfortable with Russia or China taking custody of Iran’s highly enriched uranium. “Deal has got to be perfect,” he said. “We have things understood now with Iran.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been some progress in the negotiations. “I think there’s been some progress and some interest, and we’ll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made,” Rubio said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said progress had been made in talks in Qatar on the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, but that several details remained unresolved.
The report said disagreements persist over specific clauses and wording, and that messages were still being exchanged between the sides.
Tasnim said any memorandum of understanding would have to be announced jointly, warning that a unilateral U.S. statement could be inaccurate.
According to the report, the first steps in a possible understanding would include declaring an end to the war on all fronts, including the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, releasing half of Iran’s $24 billion in frozen assets, beginning to lift the maritime blockade and starting to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The talks come at a delicate moment for the administration. Trump is seeking a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease pressure on global oil markets and allow him to argue that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been sufficiently reduced.
But the emerging framework has drawn criticism from some Republicans and Trump allies who fear it could leave Iran’s leaders weakened but emboldened. The negotiations also appear likely to leave several major issues unresolved, raising questions over whether Washington can claim a durable victory.
Trump has projected confidence that a deal is within reach, but the administration has not announced a final agreement, and key details remain in flux.
First published: 19:17, 05.27.26