US President Donald Trump has reportedly pushed for tougher terms in a proposed agreement aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, according to US media reports on Saturday, as negotiations remain ongoing among the parties involved.
The New York Times reported that Trump’s revisions strengthen key aspects of the deal, and the updated framework has been sent back to Iran for further consideration by officials familiar with the process.
However, the report noted that it is still unclear what specific changes were made. News site Axios added that Trump is seeking to reinforce several points he considers critical, including how Iran’s nuclear materials would be handled.
The proposed adjustments could delay negotiations for several more days before a final decision is reached on whether the deal will bring an end to the conflict, which began after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
US sources told AFP that the proposal had been awaiting Trump’s approval, but no final decision was made following a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday.
Trump has repeatedly stated that any agreement must ensure Iran never develops nuclear weapons and also includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.