Trump vows tougher Iran deal, unlike Obama-era pact
On Monday, May 25 — the 87th day of the American-Israeli war with Iran — former US President Donald Trump weighed in on fragile talks between Washington and Tehran, saying In a post on Truth Social, Trump described a potential arrangement as “good and proper,” and “the exact opposite” of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Trump reiterated his long-standing criticism of the Obama-era deal, claiming it handed Iran large sums of cash and left a “clear and open path” to a nuclear weapon. He pushed back against critics who have been speculating about the negotiations, noting that the framework is still being worked out and is “not even fully negotiated yet.” He did not, however, share specifics or a timeline for when talks might conclude.
The remarks arrived amid continued—if cautious—signs of indirect diplomacy between the United States and Iran. For months, the Gulf has been engulfed in military tension and flare-ups that have raised the stakes for all parties in the region. Diplomats and analysts say both sides seem to be exploring ways to dial back open hostilities, but the path remains uncertain.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah voiced guarded optimism about the negotiations. In a televised address, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem expressed hope that talks between Tehran and Washington could lead to a broad agreement and a “full cessation of hostilities,” a development he said would bring calm to Lebanon and the wider region. His remarks reflected how the ripple effects of any US-Iran arrangement would reach neighboring states and non-state actors alike.
Gulf countries, too, have been engaged behind the scenes. conflict, Al Jazeera reported. The talks underscored the Gulf’s interest in a negotiated de-escalation and its role as a mediator between adversaries.
But an Axios report cautioned that negotiations could take longer than expected. A senior US administration official told the outlet that Tehran’s internal decision-making process is slow, and that more days could be needed to finalize any deal. Diplomats familiar with the matter said internal consultations in Tehran and Washington, plus input from regional partners, are complicating and extending the timeline.
The regional friction has also fed into domestic political attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah of stoking instability in Lebanon amid cross-border tensions with Israel, saying Washington supports Lebanon’s reconstruction but will push back against actions that deepen unrest. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized Trump’s handling of the conflict, saying that although a potential agreement is welcome, the war has already exacted a severe humanitarian and economic toll and left Iran strategically resilient.
Within Iran, officials emphasize that major diplomatic moves require the blessing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. CBS News reported that Khamenei has been operating from a secure, undisclosed location with tightly restricted direct communications; messages are reportedly being routed through intermediaries, which complicates rapid diplomatic exchanges.
Iran’s military has warned it will remain at high alert regardless of progress at the negotiating table. Tasnim News Agency quoted commanders saying the armed forces will keep readiness levels high and hinted that any renewed military action could invite a different kind of confrontation.
Against that tense backdrop, Trump posted an image on Truth Social showing a bomb attached to a military aircraft with the caption: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”
In India, fuel retailers raised petrol and diesel prices for the fourth time this month, citing higher global crude costs tied to the regional conflict; diesel jumped by 2.71 rupees per litre and petrol by 2.61 rupees. Small changes like these are reminders that, even when diplomacy inches forward, the costs of a prolonged regional conflagration are immediate and widely felt.