By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON/ TEHRAN - US President Donald Trump strongly defended ongoing negotiations with Iran on Sunday, insisting that any agreement reached by his administration would be fundamentally different from the Obama-era nuclear accord, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained ready to reassure the world it is not pursuing nuclear weapons but would not compromise on national dignity and sovereignty.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said critics of the negotiations were attacking details they had not even seen, emphasizing that talks were still ongoing and no final agreement had yet been completed.

“If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one, not like the one made by Obama, which gave Iran massive amounts of CASH, and a clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote.

“Our deal is the exact opposite,” he added, while noting that negotiations were “not even fully negotiated yet.”

Trump sharply criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated during the administration of former President Barack Obama, describing it as “one of the worst deals ever made” by the United States.

He said the current negotiations with Iran were moving “in an orderly and constructive manner” and stressed that his administration would not rush into signing an agreement.

“The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed,” Trump said, adding that “both sides must take their time and get it right.”

Trump also said relations between Washington and Tehran were becoming “much more professional and productive,” but reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.

At the same time, he praised Middle Eastern countries involved in mediation and diplomacy surrounding the negotiations and suggested regional cooperation could expand further under the Abraham Accords framework.

“I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation,” Trump wrote, adding that perhaps “the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join” the Abraham Accords in the future.

The remarks came amid reports that the United States and Iran are moving closer toward a broader understanding aimed at easing tensions after months of confrontation following the February US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, signaled cautious openness to diplomacy while maintaining Tehran’s firm position on sovereignty and regional policy.

“We are ready to reassure the world that we are not seeking nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said in remarks reported by Iranian media.

The Iranian president also accused Israel of destabilizing the Middle East.

“We are not seeking instability in the region. It is Israel that is the destabilizer in the region,” he said.

Pezeshkian stressed that Iran’s negotiating team would continue talks but would not make concessions that undermine national interests.

“Our negotiating team will not compromise when it counts to our country’s dignity and sovereignty,” he said.

Diplomatic sources say negotiations have focused on sanctions relief, maritime security, regional de-escalation and limitations related to Iran’s nuclear activities, though several major issues remain unresolved.

Trump’s comments also appeared aimed at countering growing criticism from some Republican lawmakers and former officials who argue the emerging agreement could resemble aspects of the Obama-era deal that Trump withdrew from during his first term.

Despite political opposition in Washington and continued mistrust between Tehran and Washington, officials involved in the negotiations say diplomatic contacts remain active and discussions are continuing with support from regional mediators