Trump Dismisses Critics as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Stall Into June
CNBC reported Monday that President Donald Trump lashed out at domestic detractors while insisting Tehran remains eager to reach a nuclear agreement.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Iran “really wants to make a deal” and predicted the outcome would benefit the U.S. and its partners. He directed sharp criticism at what he called political opponents second-guessing his negotiating approach.
Trump Fires Back at Domestic Critics
Trump accused Democrats and some Republicans of undermining his ability to negotiate effectively. He complained that critics were demanding he move faster or slower, or take firmer military positions, at levels he described as unprecedented.
He urged them to stand back and let the process run its course. No formal statement was issued by the White House beyond the social media post.
Air Strikes Resume Near Strategic Waterway
The diplomatic frustration arrived alongside a renewed exchange of strikes. U.S. Central Command said it carried out self-defense operations against Iranian radar installations and drone command infrastructure on Qeshm Island and in Goruk over the weekend.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded by striking an air base it linked to the U.S. attack. Both sides claimed to have hit military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil traffic.
A separate report from Axios said Trump had sought several revisions to draft terms his envoys and Iranian officials had already negotiated. CNBC noted it could not independently verify those details.
Background: A Ceasefire With Little Progress
A ceasefire between Washington and Tehran came into force in early April. Since then, Trump has repeatedly described the two sides as close to a deal. However, analysts have grown skeptical.
Guntram Wolff, senior fellow at Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, told CNBC that markets are far too optimistic about a breakthrough. He noted that Iran retains meaningful military capabilities, continues to influence the Strait of Hormuz, and still holds nuclear-enriched materials. In his view, the core fundamentals have not shifted in over 90 days of talks.
What Comes Next
The combination of resumed strikes, stalled negotiations, and internal U.S. political noise leaves the path forward deeply uncertain. Oil markets remain sensitive to any escalation near the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most consequential oil chokepoint.
Both governments have yet to schedule another formal round of negotiations as June begins.
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