President Trump [Reuters=Yonhap News] 

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on the 20th (local time) that the nuclear deal the U.S. is currently pursuing with Iran would be far better than the nuclear deal signed by the previous administration of Barack Obama in 2015, which he then scrapped.

Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on the same day, "The deal we are pursuing with Iran will be far better than the JCPOA, known as the 'Iran Nuclear Deal,' signed by Barack Hussein Obama and 'Sleepy' Joe Biden."

The JCPOA refers to the nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) reached during the tenure of President Barack Obama in 2015.

Under the agreement at the time, up to 11 tons of Iran's uranium enriched to 20% was transferred to Russia, and Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was limited to 300 kg for 15 years, at a level of 3.67%.

However, in 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA, breaking the agreement, and indirect negotiations with Iran continued under the Biden administration without success.

Trump criticized the agreement, calling it "one of the worst deals in the history of our national security."

He asserted, "If I had not terminated that agreement, nuclear weapons would have been used throughout the Middle East, including Israel and our cherished military bases."

Trump's remarks on this day are also interpreted as indicating that the Trump administration is setting a standard for a new agreement with stronger conditions than the JCPOA.

At the same time, it also reveals, intentionally or unintentionally, that the U.S. is not necessarily adhering to an "ideal agreement" that would represent a "complete victory" for the U.S., such as Iran permanently and completely abandoning its nuclear material and uranium enrichment rights, and dismantling its ballistic missile capabilities.

In this regard, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the previous day, citing officials familiar with the U.S.-Iran negotiations, that some flexibility has been detected in recent discussions surrounding Iran's uranium enrichment issues.

One proposal currently being considered by mediators would allow Iran to suspend uranium enrichment for 10 years and then produce a limited amount of low-enriched uranium for at least 10 years, the WSJ reported.

Iran has reportedly been exploring recently whether the U.S. is open to allowing some enrichment-related activities after its uranium enrichment suspension period (10 years).

Meanwhile, in another post, Trump countered criticism that the Iran conflict has exceeded the original 4-6 week target period set by the Trump administration, stating, "The Democrats are using all means to undermine the very advantageous position we secured with Iran."

Trump repeatedly emphasized that other wars have lasted much longer, citing the Korean War as lasting 3 years and 1 month and 2 days.

He stated, "I have read fake news that I am under 'pressure' to make a deal. I am under no pressure," expressing his determination to reach a proper agreement with Iran.

In another post, Trump designated media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post as "fake news" and said, "The anti-American fake news media are rooting for Iran to win, but that will not happen."

Regarding the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz targeting Iran, he emphasized, "Perhaps most importantly, the 'blockade,' which we will not lift until an 'agreement' is reached, is completely collapsing Iran. They are losing $500 million a day, which is an unsustainable amount even in the short term."

In a PBS broadcast interview, Trump repeatedly pressured Iran, warning that if the ceasefire deadline expires without an agreement, "many bombs will be dropped."

Regarding whether Iran would attend the U.S.-Iran peace negotiation meeting expected to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, he said, "They are scheduled to attend," adding, "but we will have to wait and see if they actually attend."

He reiterated that the main objective of this negotiation is "very simple. Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," confirming that the issues of Iran maintaining its nuclear program and exporting enriched uranium are the biggest sticking points.