Iran war day 87: Trump says US not in rush to sign deal, dashing optimism

President Donald Trump has abruptly cooled expectations for an imminent breakthrough in US-Iran nuclear negotiations, stating Washington is "not in a rush" to sign a deal. This declaration, made amidst renewed diplomatic efforts, immediately deflated recent optimism fueled by reports of incremental progress in indirect talks, sending a clear message that the US intends to dictate the pace and terms of any agreement. The statement comes after 87 days of what has been internally framed as a diplomatic "war," highlighting the deep chasm between Washington and Tehran. Iranian media simultaneously warned of entrenched disagreements on critical issues like the scope of sanctions relief, verification mechanisms for uranium enrichment, and the future of Iran ballistic missile program. Trump's hardline stance echoes his previous "Maximum Pressure Campaign," aiming to extract significant concessions from a regime already under severe economic strain. Moving forward, the onus is on Tehran to recalibrate its expectations or risk a prolonged stalemate. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports on Iran accelerating nuclear program will increasingly pressure both sides, while regional proxies will continue to test the boundaries. Observers will be watching for any shift in rhetoric from either capital, as the window for a negotiated settlement appears to narrow under renewed US assertiveness.