Trump Aide Says Emerging Iran Deal Will Be Looser Than the 2015 Nuclear Agreement

A senior Trump administration official told The Wall Street Journal that the emerging deal with Iran is expected to be less restrictive than the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under Barack Obama. The remark comes as President Donald Trump is publicly portraying the agreement as a major breakthrough that will bring “security and peace” to the world, even though he withdrew from the earlier accord in 2018 and has called it “terrible.”

According to the report, the admission reflects Washington’s recognition that Iran has held the stronger position in the talks. The official said Iran understands the United States does not want another war, which could leave Tehran room to threaten or temporarily close the Strait of Hormuz again to gain leverage. The paper also reported that some of Trump’s top aides were surprised by his announcement that a “big deal” had been reached, since they believed negotiations were still ongoing. When Qatari mediators returned from Tehran on Wednesday with a revised draft, U.S. officials concluded it was the best outcome achievable under the circumstances.

Trump has sharply attacked the 2015 accord in recent days, writing on Truth that Obama’s deal was a “direct route” for Iran to get nuclear weapons and money, and that the new arrangement would be a wall preventing Iran from ever obtaining such weapons. He also told reporters the new agreement would not be like Obama’s, which he described as “just terrible.”

The full text of the understanding has not yet been released. U.S. officials said a complete and detailed agreement is still at least 60 days away, because the current document is only a memorandum of understanding. Reported terms include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and shipping, and extending the ceasefire by 60 days while Washington and Tehran continue nuclear talks, with Iran pledging not to seek nuclear weapons. Iranian state media, by contrast, say the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, preserves Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, and adds no new nuclear limits.

A separate financial element is also under discussion. The Financial Times reported that the Trump administration is prepared to allow a $300 billion investment fund for Iran if Tehran agrees to a final settlement ending the war and including a nuclear deal. Trump denied that report on Truth, calling it “fake news,” while Vice President JD Vance did not rule out the figure and told CBS that “not a single cent” would come from the United States.