Trump says any deal with Iran will be ‘great and meaningful’
Trump says any deal with Iran will be ‘great and meaningful’ as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue amid hopes of ending months of conflict in the Middle East. United States President Donald Trump made the remarks on Monday while insisting that negotiations with Iran must produce a strong and effective agreement or there would be “no deal”.
The comments come as mediators intensify efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire after nearly three months of war and growing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Trump also signalled that any future peace arrangement could involve broader regional demands, including support for the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Donald Trump outlines tough stance on Iran deal
Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump said the United States would only accept a deal that delivers meaningful results and guarantees stability in the region.
“The deal with Iran will either be a great and meaningful one, or there will be no deal,” Trump wrote.
The US president stressed that negotiations should not be rushed and said both sides must ensure any agreement is carefully negotiated before being signed. Washington and Tehran have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while talks continue behind the scenes. However, tensions remain high as Iran continues restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while the United States maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump’s administration believes progress has been made, although officials continue to caution that a final agreement is still some distance away.
Iran says progress has been made
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei acknowledged on Monday that discussions between Tehran and Washington had achieved progress on several major issues. According to Baghaei, negotiators have reached understandings on “a large portion” of discussion topics, but he warned that this does not mean a final agreement is imminent.
Iran insists that current discussions are focused primarily on ending the war rather than resolving the long-running Iran nuclear deal dispute. Baghaei also questioned whether the United States would honour any commitments made during negotiations, stating that Tehran remains cautious despite ongoing diplomacy.
Marco Rubio signals possible breakthrough
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added further intrigue to the negotiations during a visit to India. Rubio told reporters that Washington had placed a “solid” proposal on the table that could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce tensions in the Gulf region.
“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today,” Rubio said.
The secretary of state indicated that discussions remain active but refused to predict when a final announcement could be made. Rubio also warned that if diplomacy fails, the United States may pursue alternative measures against Iran.
Strait of Hormuz remains central issue
One of the biggest challenges in negotiations continues to be the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is responsible for transporting a major percentage of the world’s oil and gas supplies. Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the strait have disrupted global trade and pushed energy prices higher.
Reports suggest Tehran could agree to fully reopen the strait in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade and easing restrictions on Iranian oil exports.
A senior Trump administration official reportedly told Reuters that Iran had agreed “in principle” to dispose of its highly enriched uranium stockpile as part of a broader framework agreement. However, Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed those claims.
Iran nuclear deal discussions continue
The future of Iran’s nuclear programme remains one of the most sensitive aspects of the negotiations. US officials insist that Tehran must reduce or eliminate its highly enriched uranium reserves to secure any long-term agreement.
The Trump administration believes Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has broadly approved the direction of negotiations, although key details still need to be finalised. According to officials familiar with the discussions, negotiations may proceed in phases. The first phase would focus on formally ending the conflict and reopening trade routes, while later stages would address nuclear issues and long-term security guarantees.
Experts warn deal may still be far away
Despite growing optimism, several analysts remain sceptical about the chances of a quick breakthrough. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said negotiations continue to shift rapidly and that a lasting agreement could still take months.
Kupchan suggested that public statements from both sides often differ from private discussions taking place behind closed doors. He also warned that disagreements over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and unrestricted shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz remain major obstacles.
Pakistan and China step up mediation efforts
As negotiations intensify, regional powers have increased efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Beijing on Monday for talks with Chinese officials focused on restoring peace in the Middle East.
China has publicly stated that it wants to help stabilise the region and support diplomatic solutions to the conflict. Munir also visited Tehran last week alongside Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of broader mediation efforts. The involvement of Pakistan and China highlights the growing international pressure to secure a ceasefire and avoid further disruption to global trade and energy markets.
Abraham Accords become part of negotiations
Trump also used Monday’s statement to call on several Muslim-majority nations to support the Abraham Accords. The accords, first signed in 2020, normalised diplomatic relations between Israel and countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
Trump argued that nations involved in current mediation efforts should also formally join the agreement as part of a broader peace initiative. Countries mentioned by Trump included Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Turkiye.
“It should be mandatory that all of these countries sign onto the Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote.
The US president added that nations refusing to participate could be excluded from future agreements.
Abraham Accords remain controversial
Although praised by Washington as a diplomatic success, the Abraham Accords continue to face criticism across the Middle East. Critics argue that the agreements failed to adequately address the issue of Palestinian statehood and ignored broader regional concerns.
Public opposition to normalising ties with Israel remains strong in several Arab countries, making Trump’s latest demands politically sensitive.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in particular, have previously indicated that meaningful progress on Palestinian rights must occur before formal relations with Israel can be fully established. Nevertheless, Trump believes expanding the accords could strengthen regional stability and support any future agreement with Iran.
Oil markets watching negotiations closely
Global energy markets are monitoring developments carefully as uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect oil prices. Any agreement that fully reopens the waterway could ease pressure on global supply chains and reduce shipping disruptions.
Analysts believe a successful deal could also allow Iran to increase oil exports again, potentially influencing global energy prices in the coming months. However, investors remain cautious given the fragile nature of the negotiations and the possibility that talks could still collapse.
YOU MAY LIKE:
Conclusion
Trump says any deal with Iran will be ‘great and meaningful’ as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue to dominate international attention. The United States insists that any agreement must guarantee security, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While progress has reportedly been made behind the scenes, officials on both sides acknowledge that significant disagreements remain unresolved. Questions surrounding uranium stockpiles, shipping restrictions and regional diplomacy continue to complicate efforts to secure a final deal.
With mediators such as Pakistan and China stepping up involvement and the Abraham Accords becoming part of wider discussions, the negotiations now carry major implications for the future of Middle East stability, global oil markets and international diplomacy.
Whether Trump and Iran can ultimately reach the “great and meaningful” agreement he demands remains uncertain, but the coming weeks could prove decisive for the region and the wider world.
References from mainstream media
- Reuters – “Trump links Abraham Accords to Iran deal”
Reuters Middle East - Associated Press – “Trump says deal with Iran largely negotiated”
Associated Press
Keep the Headlines Fresh!
Quality news takes time, effort, and a whole lot of coffee. If you value what we do at eKayNews, consider “buying a round” for the team!
-
Join the Inner Circle: Set up a custom subscription.
-
The Instant Jolt: Send a one-time “coffee” donation.
Why trust us? We use PayFast for 100% secure, encrypted transactions. Your data stays yours; the news stays ours.
To our amazing readers: You’re the reason we’re first on the scene. Thanks for being part of the family!
Feel the Pulse of the News with eKayNews!
Join the ever-growing eKayNews community and stay connected to the stories that matter. Follow us on Facebook, X, and WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive alerts straight to your feed. Your support keeps us digging deeper and sharing the news you can trust.
Stay Connected:
-
Facebook: [eKayNews on Facebook]
-
X (Twitter): [eKayNews on X]
-
WhatsApp: [Join the eKayNews WhatsApp Channel]
Become part of our inner circle and get instant news alerts as events unfold across South Africa and beyond!
Promote Your Brand with eKayNews
Looking to reach a wide, engaged audience? Explore our advertising packages:
-
Link Booster: 7 links to 7 articles over 7 days – R2,500
-
Permanent Feature: Sponsored blog article hosted permanently – R4,000
-
Prime Visibility: Home page banner ad for 30 days – R5,000
Don’t miss your chance to connect with our audience. Book your package today via email at info@ekaynews.co.za or WhatsApp us on +27710961185.
Be part of a platform where news meets community—stay informed, stay ahead, stay with eKayNews!
