President Donald Trump has hit back at Republican critics of his emerging Iran peace framework, insisting that any agreement reached by his administration would be “good and proper” and not a repeat of the Obama-era nuclear deal he repeatedly condemned.
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Trump’s response followed growing concern among Republican hawks, including Senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker and Thom Tillis, who warned that the proposed arrangement could become a “disastrous mistake” if it leaves Iran with nuclear materials, regional influence or control over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the deal was not yet fully negotiated and accused critics of attacking an agreement they had not seen.
“If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one, not like the one made by Obama, which gave Iran massive amounts of cash, and a clear and open path to a nuclear weapon,” Trump wrote.
“Our deal is the exact opposite, but nobody has seen it, or knows what it is. It isn’t even fully negotiated yet. So don’t listen to the losers, who are critical about something they know nothing about. Unlike those before me who should have solved this problem many years ago, I don’t make bad deals,” he added.
The controversy comes amid reports that the United States and Iran have agreed in principle to a framework that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, establish a 60-day negotiation window, and commit Tehran to disposing of its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
A senior Trump administration official said the framework would give both sides 60 days to reach a final agreement that would prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, require Tehran to give up what Trump has described as “nuclear dust,” and set out a mechanism for further talks.
The official said the agreement would also get the Strait of Hormuz “de-mined and back open for business,” adding that Iran “gets nothing until they deliver.”
Trump, however, said he would not rush into a deal.
“Time is on our side,” he wrote, adding that both sides must “take their time and get it right.”
“There can be no mistakes. Our relationship with Iran is becoming a much more professional and productive one,” he said.
He also stressed that the United States blockade around Iran would remain “in full force and effect” until an agreement is reached, certified and signed.
The proposed agreement has sparked anger among several Republican lawmakers. Cruz said he was “deeply concerned” by reports that Iran could retain influence while receiving concessions from Washington.
“If the result of all that is to be an Iranian regime, still run by Islamists who chant ‘death to America,’ now receiving billions of dollars, being able to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons, and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake,” Cruz said.
Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that a 60-day ceasefire could undermine the gains of the military campaign, saying “everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury would be for naught.”
Graham also questioned the direction of the talks, saying it would be difficult to justify the war if Iran emerges as a dominant regional power. He later softened his tone, saying he could support a broader arrangement if it leads to a major expansion of the Abraham Accords to include countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan.
Tillis also raised concerns, questioning why the administration appeared willing to tolerate Iran retaining nuclear material after earlier claims that Iran’s capabilities had been devastated.
“There are a lot of things that need to be explained,” he said, adding that any agreement not ratified by Congress would be “doomed to fail.”
The proposed deal has also divided former Trump officials. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the reported framework as “not remotely America First,” prompting White House communications director Steven Cheung to fire back at him. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton also warned that if reports about the deal were accurate, Iran’s leaders would have secured a major victory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration, insisting that Trump’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon should not be questioned.
“His commitment to that principle that they’ll never have a nuclear weapon shouldn’t be questioned by anybody,” Rubio said.
Rubio added that it was “absurd” to suggest Trump would agree to a deal that puts Iran in a stronger nuclear position.
The diplomatic push has involved several regional leaders. Trump said he held talks with leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Israel. He also said his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “went very well.”
Iranian officials, however, have issued mixed signals. Iranian state media reported that any deal could involve the lifting of oil sanctions, the end of the US blockade of Iranian ports and a return of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though not necessarily to pre-war conditions. Other Iranian reports disputed claims that Tehran had agreed to remove nuclear materials.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country was ready to assure the world that it was not seeking nuclear weapons, but added that Iran would not compromise its “dignity and pride.”
The possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has also raised expectations of a major drop in global oil prices. The strategic waterway carries about 20 per cent of global oil supply, and its closure since the start of the war triggered sharp increases in crude and fuel prices.
As of Sunday, Brent crude reportedly hovered around $103 to $105 per barrel amid positive signals from negotiations. Analysts expect that reopening the strait could ease pressure on global supply chains and reduce fuel prices.
In Nigeria, petrol prices reportedly rose from about ₦830 to over ₦1,300 following the crisis. A reduction in global crude prices could ease pressure on domestic fuel costs.
The war, which began in late February with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has led to rising oil prices, regional instability and heavy casualties. Reports say 13 US service members have died, thousands have been killed across the region, and the conflict has cost American taxpayers more than $25 billion.
For now, Trump insists he will not be pressured by critics or rushed into an agreement.
“There can be no mistakes,” he said. “I don’t make bad deals.”
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