Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Iranian officials on Friday (June 12), accusing them of leaking false details about a potential peace deal and warning Tehran to "get their act together." The sharp rebuke came amid ongoing negotiations to end the conflict that began in late February.
"The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing," President Trump wrote on Truth Social. "What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth. Very dishonorable people to deal with."
The president's frustration follows days of conflicting signals about the status of negotiations. On June 6, Trump suggested an agreement had been "largely negotiated" and would be announced shortly. However, less than 24 hours later, he walked back that statement, saying the deal was not "even fully negotiated yet."
On June 7, President Trump reiterated that Iran "must understand" it cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran has repeatedly stated its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Some reports in US media suggest the deal could see Iran agree to eventually hand over its highly-enriched uranium. At the start of the war, Iran is thought to have possessed about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity—a short process away from the weapons-grade 90 percent needed to create a nuclear bomb.
The reported framework under discussion involves a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a plan for further negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. The proposed deal would not constitute a final settlement and would leave several thorny issues for later negotiation, including sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The proposed deal has divided Republicans, with some arguing it is too lenient on Iran. Senator Ted Cruz called it "a disastrous mistake," while Roger Wicker, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that a 60-day ceasefire would mean "everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for naught." However, Representative Mike Lawler, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, praised the administration for forcing "the remnants of this regime into a negotiation, a real negotiation."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told state television that Iran was ready "to assure the world that we are not after a nuclear weapon." Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said over the weekend that the two sides are both "very close and very far" from reaching an agreement.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who has been mediating talks, said recent negotiations provide "grounds for optimism" that a positive outcome is "within reach."