Lead
US President Donald Trump said on May 24 that a deal with Iran is not "fully negotiated yet," tempering earlier optimism while acknowledging that negotiations "seem to be going quite well," as reported by Al Jazeera. The president spoke at an economic event in New York, where he also hailed stronger-than-expected jobs growth before pivoting to the Iran talks, offering no further details to reporters.
Coverage Comparison
Al Jazeera's reporting across recent days captures a shifting narrative. In a live blog dated May 22, the outlet highlighted a new US opinion poll suggesting that 60 percent of Americans now oppose President Trump's war on Iran. The same report cited Iran's ISNA news agency saying mediated discussions between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, with the two sides exchanging messages and draft texts to establish a formal framework for ending the conflict.
By May 24, Al Jazeera quoted Trump directly saying the deal is not "fully negotiated yet," while White House officials have taken a "cautious tone," suggesting a deal could take days to finalize. The president also said any potential agreement with Tehran will be "good and proper."
In a later report dated June 5, Al Jazeera noted Trump's remarks in Wisconsin where he again praised jobs growth and said Iran talks "seem to be going quite well," though he did not elaborate.
Key Claims
- Trump's statements: The president has consistently expressed optimism about the talks, saying they "seem to be going quite well" and that any agreement will be "good and proper." However, he has also cautioned that the deal is not "fully negotiated yet," according to Al Jazeera.
- Public opinion: A poll cited by Al Jazeera indicates that 60 percent of Americans oppose the war with Iran. This statistic was not independently verified in the provided sources.
- Mediation efforts: Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran reports that Pakistani officials are engaged in "intense mediation activity." The details of Pakistan's role were not further elaborated.
- Proximity of a deal: A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that a deal was close, but a second Iranian source said it was too early to say whether a final agreement could be reached. This discrepancy underscores the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.
- Ongoing exchanges: Iran's ISNA news agency reported that Tehran and Washington are exchanging messages and draft texts in an effort to establish a formal framework for an agreement. This report was attributed to the Iranian agency.
Perspectives
The White House has adopted a cautiously optimistic tone, with officials suggesting a deal could be finalized within days, though Trump himself acknowledged the deal is not yet complete. The administration's public messaging emphasizes the potential for a "good and proper" agreement while managing expectations.
Iranian officials, according to Al Jazeera, have signaled that a deal is close, via a senior official, but another source expressed caution, indicating internal uncertainty about the outcome. The ongoing exchange of draft texts suggests both sides are engaging seriously, but substantive differences remain.
Pakistani officials, as described by Al Jazeera's Tehran correspondent, are playing an active mediation role, adding a regional dimension to the talks. The specifics of their involvement were not detailed.
US public opinion, as reflected in the poll cited, shows majority opposition to the war, which could influence the political calculus for the Trump administration as it navigates the negotiations.
Note: This article is based on Al Jazeera reports. No other outlets were included in the provided coverage. The claims about Pakistani mediation, the Iranian official's statement, and the poll are attributed to single reports and have not been independently verified.