WASHINGTON, May 27: President Donald Trump convened a high-level Cabinet meeting on Wednesday amid mounting uncertainty surrounding ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Iran, as the White House attempts to secure a politically sensitive agreement while facing criticism from both allies and opponents.
The meeting comes only days after Trump publicly claimed that Washington and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a settlement framework. However, diplomatic discussions remain fragile, with several major disagreements still unresolved and tensions continuing to simmer across the Middle East.
The administration is pushing to finalise an agreement that could reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and allow Trump to argue that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been sufficiently weakened following months of military confrontation and economic pressure.
Despite projecting confidence, the President faces growing concerns within Republican circles that any rushed settlement could leave Iran politically strengthened and capable of rebuilding its military influence across the region.
Senior administration officials acknowledged that several components of the proposed agreement remain incomplete and would likely require additional negotiations even after a preliminary ceasefire arrangement is reached.
Complicating the talks further, U.S. forces earlier this week carried out what the Pentagon described as “defensive strikes” targeting missile launch infrastructure and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran. American officials insisted the operation was limited and necessary to protect regional security during the ongoing ceasefire period.
Iran, however, condemned the strikes, accusing Washington of acting in bad faith and undermining diplomatic trust at a crucial moment in the negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions on reopening maritime routes and extending the ceasefire would continue for several more days. Rubio stated that the administration would only accept terms viewed as beneficial to American interests and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Trump used social media to criticise sections of the American media, claiming that even a complete Iranian concession would be portrayed as a strategic victory for Tehran rather than a diplomatic success for Washington.
The negotiations have also triggered visible discomfort among several influential Republican lawmakers, including Senators Roger Wicker, Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, who warned that aspects of the proposed arrangement resemble the controversial nuclear agreement negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama.
Trump had withdrawn the United States from that earlier accord during his first term, arguing it failed to permanently block Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
According to regional officials familiar with the ongoing negotiations, Iran may agree to surrender or dilute portions of its highly enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for phased sanctions relief. The details of how the uranium would be handled remain under discussion and could form part of a separate 60-day implementation period.
International nuclear observers estimate that Iran currently possesses hundreds of kilograms of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, heightening international concern over the country’s nuclear programme.
Trump recently suggested that the uranium could either be transferred under international supervision or destroyed at designated sites monitored by atomic energy officials. Analysts interpreted the remarks as a softer position compared to earlier demands that the United States directly control the material.
Another unresolved issue involves the scope of the ceasefire and whether it would include Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Tehran has reportedly insisted that any broader agreement must also address regional conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups.
However, the draft framework being discussed reportedly preserves Israel’s right to respond to immediate security threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that military operations in Lebanon were continuing and could intensify in the coming days.
Security experts in Israel have expressed concern that sanctions relief for Iran could eventually strengthen Tehran’s regional proxy networks, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
The diplomatic effort has also become linked to Trump’s broader Middle East strategy. The President recently proposed expanding the Abraham Accords by encouraging countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan to establish formal ties with Israel as part of a wider regional settlement.
The proposal, however, faces major obstacles. Saudi Arabia continues to insist that any normalization process must include a credible pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state, a condition strongly opposed by sections of the Israeli leadership.
Former American diplomat Barbara Leaf said Gulf leaders remained cautious about the administration’s expectations and feared that sanctions relief could eventually help Iran restore military influence despite short-term diplomatic gains.
Regional analysts believe the outcome of the negotiations could significantly influence geopolitical stability, oil markets and American domestic politics ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.
With fuel prices rising and public fatigue over overseas military engagement increasing, the White House is under pressure to deliver an agreement that can be presented as both a diplomatic victory and a durable security achievement.