Trump accused of caving to Iran as popularity goes into devastating nosedive

Peace negotiations between the United States and Iran continue as both countries exchange fire, with President Donald Trump pushing to end a conflict that has proven far more entrenched than anticipated — and has sent his approval ratings to a historic lows.

Current talks center on a preliminary memorandum that would establish a framework for ending the war, and the agreement would trigger a 30-day negotiation period focused on freezing Iran's nuclear program for at least 10 years and requiring Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, reported CNN. In return, the U.S. would relax sanctions, unfreeze billions in Iranian funds and both sides would lift restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.

However, CNN reported, this framework represents a significant retreat from Trump's original demands. When the war began in late February, Trump declared: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" He repeatedly stated his goal was ensuring Iran could "never" develop nuclear weapons — not merely pause its program temporarily.

The report claimed Trump has also abandoned his initial call for regime change. In his war announcement video, he directly addressed the Iranian people, saying, "When we're finished, take over your government," and urged them to "seize control of your destiny." This rhetoric has disappeared from current negotiations.

Similarly sidelined is Trump's stated goal of ending Iran's support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. While the administration initially emphasized this objective, reported details of ongoing talks make no mention of proxy groups, and Trump omitted the issue entirely during a recent PBS News interview.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced pointed questioning Tuesday from a MAGA-friendly journalist about these abandoned objectives.

“What happened to that pledge to the Iranians?” the journalist asked. “And when did the president decide to capitulate on his demand for unconditional surrender?”

Hegseth denied capitulation, but offered no explanation for the dramatic shift in strategy.