Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again aligned his Iran policy closely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance, complicating the potential for negotiations between the United States and Iran. This development comes despite Trump's expressed interest in engaging in talks with the Islamic Republic.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday at the White House, reinstating a 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, which he had initiated during his first term. The president's decision was made during a meeting with Netanyahu, even though Trump mentioned feeling 'torn' and 'unhappy' about enacting the order. The move signals a continuation of a confrontational policy toward Iran.

The decision is likely to embolden Iranian political factions opposing negotiations with the U.S., particularly those challenging President Masoud Pezeshkian and Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Javad Zarif. Zarif, who played a key role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, including the U.S., remains a strong advocate for diplomatic engagement, even with adversaries, to secure Iran's national interests.

Trump's approach is expected to increase pressure on Zarif and the Pezeshkian administration. In response to Trump's comments and executive order, Iranian administration spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani offered only a general statement on Iran's foreign relations, avoiding direct mention of the United States.

While Trump's early actions during his second term suggested a possibility of altering U.S.-Iran relations, his recent decision indicates a return to previous policies. The mistrust between the two nations remains, with President Pezeshkian expressing doubts about the U.S.'s commitment to any new agreement, citing its previous withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

The executive order has sparked concerns that Trump's actions were influenced by hawkish advisers and Netanyahu, complicating the path to potential negotiations aimed at alleviating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Despite his stated desire to reach a 'great deal' with Iran, Trump's latest move appears to be a step away from achieving that goal.