Trump tells critics to 'sit back and relax' as US-Iran airstrikes resume and nuclear talks stall

Key Takeaways

• President Donald Trump publicly assailed critics from both political parties on Monday over their commentary on his Iran diplomacy, asserting that Tehran "really wants to make a deal" even as weekend military exchanges between US and Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz cast a long shadow over negotiations that have now dragged into a second month without resolution.
• Trump Attacks Political 'Hacks' for Undermining Iran Nuclear Negotiations Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed confidence that an agreement with Iran remained within reach, whilst directing sharp criticism at those he described as obstructing the negotiating process from within the United States.
• "Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the USA and those that are with us," Trump wrote.
• The president directed particular frustration at members of Congress from both parties who have publicly weighed in on the pace and direction of the talks, arguing their commentary was actively hampering his ability to conduct diplomacy.
• "But don't the Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively 'chirping,' at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever," he said.