President Donald Trump said Monday that he won’t be pushed into a quick peace deal to end the war with Iran, blaming Democrats for the economic and political pressure he is facing to end the weekslong conflict.
“The Democrats are doing everything possible to hurt the very strong position we are in with respect to Iran,” Trump posted on social media. “But I’m not going to let them rush the United States into making a Deal that is not as good as it could have been.”
The two-week ceasefire that Trump announced on April 7 is set to expire this week. But it remains to be seen whether U.S. and Tehran officials can negotiate a deal to end the war ahead of its expiration. Iran has so far resisted American demands that it dismantle its nuclear program, and foreign policy hawks within Trump’s own party have warned against reaching a deal that leaves its enrichment capabilities intact.
Trump also has to contend with congressional Republicans worried about the war extending beyond the 60-day threshold stipulated by the War Powers Act, slated for the end of the month. The president can, in theory, unilaterally extend the war for another 30 days without approval from Congress, but more centrist members are considering 60 days as the cutoff beyond which they will no longer offer their support.
“I read the Fake News saying that I am under ‘pressure’ to make a Deal. THIS IS NOT TRUE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly! Time is not my adversary, the only thing that matters is that we finally, after 47 years, straighten out the MESS that other Presidents let happen because they didn’t have the Courage or Foresight to do what had to be done with respect to Iran.”
TRUMP DENIES ISRAEL PUSHED US INTO WAR WITH IRAN
House and Senate Democrats have already forced multiple votes on Trump’s war powers in Iran, but all have been unsuccessful so far.
Trump’s comments come as a spike in gas prices driven by the war generates a flurry of negative headlines and pain for consumers at the pump. The war has also raised GOP fears that their message on the economy, including the tax law they passed last summer, is getting drowned out ahead of the midterm elections.
“We’re in it, and it will be done RIGHT, and we won’t let the Weak and Pathetic Democrats, TRAITORS ALL, who for years have been talking about the Dangers of Iran, and that something has to be done,” Trump wrote. “But now, since I’m the one doing it, belittle the accomplishments of our Military and the Trump Administration.”