Trump orders negotiators to slow Iran talks amid breakthrough fears

President Donald Trump has personally intervened in the high-stakes nuclear negotiations with Iran, ordering his negotiators to "take their time" and avoid rushing toward a deal that could be built on shaky foundations. The directive, issued late Tuesday from Mar-a-Lago, comes as U.S. and Iranian technical teams enter what insiders describe as the "final mile" of talks in Vienna, where draft agreements have been circulating for weeks.

The president’s stance marks a sharp departure from the urgency expressed by European allies, who have pushed for a resolution before the end of the year. Trump’s caution stems from intelligence reports suggesting Iran may be preparing to accept terms that fail to address its long-term ballistic missile program and regional proxy activities—key sticking points that have derailed past agreements.

Senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Trump’s team is particularly alarmed by a potential "sunset clause" in the draft agreement that would allow Iran to resume unrestricted uranium enrichment within seven years. "The president doesn’t want a deal that kicks the can down the road," said one official. "We’ve seen this movie before, and it doesn’t end well."

The president’s hesitation also reflects internal divisions within his own team. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has publicly advocated for a strict approach, while National Security Advisor John Bolton has pushed for a more aggressive stance, including the potential for military strikes if talks fail. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has emphasized the financial leverage the U.S. holds through sanctions, suggesting that economic pressure could force Iran back to the table with more favorable terms.

The Vienna talks, which began in April under the framework of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have already seen multiple setbacks. The Trump administration withdrew from the original deal in May 2018, reimposing sanctions that crippled Iran’s economy. Since then, Iran has exceeded uranium enrichment limits and restricted international inspections, raising alarms in Washington and European capitals alike.

Analysts say Trump’s latest move could either prevent a flawed agreement or prolong the standoff indefinitely. "This is a gamble," said Trita Parsi, founding president of the National Iranian American Council. "The longer the talks drag on, the harder it becomes to maintain international unity, and the more Iran’s nuclear advances become irreversible."