US President Donald Trump said he has instructed American negotiators not to rush a nuclear agreement with Iran, signaling a cautious approach as talks move closer to a framework aimed at reducing tensions in West Asia and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump contrasted current negotiations with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal under the Obama administration, calling that agreement “one of the worst deals ever made by our Country” and saying it had enabled Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. He said he told his representatives that time is on the United States’ side and that they should not hurry into an agreement. He added that the blockade will remain fully in effect until any deal is reached, certified and signed, and emphasized that both sides should take the time needed to get the terms right so there are no mistakes.
Trump reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, while also pointing to signs of improving ties between Washington and Tehran and the potential for broader regional cooperation, including a possible expansion of the Abraham Accords. He previously said a deal tied to the West Asia conflict, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, had been ‘‘largely negotiated’’ after discussions with Israel and regional partners over the weekend.
Marco Rubio, speaking during a four-day visit to India, said officials had made “significant progress, although not final progress” in the negotiations.
Financial markets responded positively to signs of easing geopolitical risk. Wall Street finished higher on Friday: the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 294.04 points (0.58%) to close at 50,579.70; the S&P 500 gained 0.37% to 7,473.47; and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.19% to 26,343.97. Oil prices eased from earlier peaks but settled modestly higher, with Brent crude at $103.54 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $96.60. US Treasury yields slipped, with the 10-year around 4.56% and the 30-year near 5.06% by Friday afternoon.
—With inputs from agencies
(Edited by: Ajay Vaishnav)