On May 11, with Iran rejecting the U.S.-proposed plan, the current U.S.-Iran negotiations have once again hit a deadlock. Trump publicly turned his criticism toward former President Obama, harshly attacking the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on his personal social media platform. He labeled Obama as the "number one sucker in history," accusing the nuclear agreement of delivering massive funds to Iran and enabling its expansion, while also criticizing Biden’s policies as even worse. The Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, and now, with negotiations stalled, it has reopened old wounds. Iran has formally rejected the latest U.S. proposal, insisting on compensation, the lifting of sanctions, and the unfreezing of assets. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s response, and his inflammatory remarks are accused of undermining diplomacy. Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate, causing oil prices to fluctuate with each negotiation development, as markets remain highly sensitive to regional risks.
This impasse in U.S.-Iran negotiations appears, on the surface, to be a dispute over the nuclear issue, but in reality, it reflects deep entanglements between U.S. party politics and Middle Eastern interests. By blaming Obama entirely, Trump essentially attempts to shift responsibility for the 2018 withdrawal, while using tough rhetoric to consolidate his base. Looking back at history, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was the result of years of multilateral negotiations; the $400 million in funds transferred at that time were repayment for prior commitments under the agreement—not, as Trump claims, “ransom money.” Today, Trump simultaneously applies extreme pressure while seeking a swift deal, a contradictory approach that only intensifies confrontation. The Middle East situation is interconnected—tension in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 30% of global oil shipments, directly drives up oil prices and impacts the global economy. History has shown that unilateral pressure cannot secure lasting peace. If the U.S. continues prioritizing its own interests and ignores Iran’s legitimate demands, negotiations will keep failing, and regional instability will persistently worsen.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864851650336768/
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