Trump says Democrats and GOP skeptics are stalling Iran deal

Former President Donald Trump posted Monday on Truth Social that Democrats and some Republican critics are complicating a near-final 60-day framework meant to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. His post followed weekend U.S. strikes and a reported Iranian counterattack on a U.S. air base in the Gulf.

Negotiators had been close to a draft agreement that would pause hostilities for 60 days. The framework would require Iran to clear all mines from the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days and to recommit to a pledge not to acquire nuclear weapons in exchange for temporary waivers of oil sanctions. About one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passes through the strait daily.

Trump wrote that he requested edits to language on Iran’s enriched uranium and to the timing of U.S. verification steps. He wrote, “Iran really wants to make a deal,” and added that domestic political critics are making negotiations harder.

A faction of Republican officials has criticized the draft terms. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo led opposition within the party, calling the proposal a sanctions giveaway. That internal split has complicated White House timing; the 60-day memorandum remains under review at the White House.

U.S. Central Command described the weekend operations as defensive and said they targeted missile launch positions and vessels accused of deploying mines in southern Iranian waters. Iranian authorities reported a counter-strike on a U.S. air base in the Gulf but provided no casualty details. Earlier strikes in the 12-week conflict killed senior Iranian officials and others believed close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran’s temporary closure of the strait has reduced global oil flows by about 20 percent.

The U.S. Treasury Department is continuing a separate sanctions enforcement campaign, known as Operation Economic Fury, targeting networks accused of evading Iranian sanctions.

Markets moved little on Monday as traders weighed the prospect of a deal against the risk of further escalation. Bitcoin traded near $73,300 and Ethereum around $1,994, both down less than 1 percent over 24 hours. Earlier strikes drove crypto liquidation levels toward record highs, though leveraged positions have cooled. Equity futures and oil prices traded in narrow ranges as investors awaited whether the White House will sign the framework or pursue additional military action.