Trump Sends Amended Iran Deal Back with Tougher Nuclear Terms — as Iranian President Reportedly Submits Resignation

Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are entering a critical stretch — and the situation inside Iran may be more unstable than the world realizes. President Trump has sent back an amended version of a proposed peace agreement, demanding tougher and more specific language on Iran's nuclear commitments and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. The changes came out of a Situation Room meeting Friday, where Trump made clear he will only sign a deal that forces Iran to fully abandon any ambition of developing a nuclear weapon. According to Axios, the president is also demanding the agreement spell out exactly how and when Iran will surrender its nearly one-thousand pounds of enriched uranium to the United States.

The current draft — described as a memorandum of understanding — does not specify those concessions. It calls for a sixty-day negotiating window during a ceasefire, along with talks on sanctions relief. A key sticking point remains money: Iran insists any transfer of enriched uranium must come with financial compensation. The White House says no. Trump specifically warned that any cash component cannot resemble the so-called "pallets of cash" that defined the Obama-era nuclear deal he withdrew from. Iranian state media has claimed the Islamic Republic stands to receive billions in frozen funds — a claim the White House flatly denies.

On Saturday, Trump told Fox News' Lara Trump that Iran has agreed not to develop a nuclear weapon — but he pushed for stronger language to prevent the regime from simply purchasing one. Quote: "Now the agreement says, 'We will not develop or in any way purchase a military weapon.' That's a big difference." He added that he is in no hurry to finalize terms. "If you're going to be in a hurry, you're not going to make a good deal." Trump also said a negotiated agreement is preferable because it would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen immediately, which he predicted would drive gasoline prices down. But he left the door open to military action if talks collapse — noting the U.S. has already destroyed Iran's navy and air force.

Adding to the uncertainty: Iran's own president may be on his way out. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly submitted a letter of resignation to the Office of the Supreme Leader. Iran International, citing a source, reports the letter states Pezeshkian and his government have been excluded from major decision-making, and that hardline factions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have moved in to fill the void. He reportedly wrote that under those conditions, he cannot govern effectively and asked to step down immediately. It is unclear whether Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's office will accept the resignation. Trump previously said the Iranian regime appeared "seriously fractured," and this development appears to confirm those internal divisions are deepening — even as nuclear negotiations continue.