TOI correspondent from Washington: “Taco Thursday” began to falter on Friday as the unfinished US peace deal with Iran appears to be out of reach despite US President Donald Trump’s optimistic projections just hours earlier. Trump himself appeared to dash expectations Friday morning, calling the Iranians “very dishonest people to deal with” after alleging that “the terms that Iran leaked in fake news have nothing to do with what was agreed upon in writing.”“What he said, including his weak and pathetic statements on the deal, has no bearing on the truth… There is no such thing as dealing with him in good faith. Amazing!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, accusing Iran of attacking Indian ships. Just hours before landing in Iran, Trump had declared that a deal was indeed a deal, even hinting that it would be signed in Switzerland, most likely by Vice President J.D. Vance, who is expected to attend the G-7 meeting in the French Alps city of Evian near Lake Geneva. But apparently, based on the mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, one or both sides have a completely different version or interpretation of what has been agreed. Tehran, according to its state-affiliated media, believes the deal will result in the immediate release of $24 billion of frozen Iranian assets.According to Iranian state media outlet IRNA, the Strait of Hormuz will be handled through a partnership between Iran and Oman, and Lebanon will be part of any agreement to end the fighting. The interim agreement also does not cover Iran’s nuclear program, which will be discussed in talks during an extended 60-day ceasefire. Those Iranian “red lines” that appeared on social media prompted Trump critics in the US to shout “TACO” – Trump Always Chickens Out – in anger over the reporting of the president and his deputy. Vance, who is now considered to be at odds with the president on a number of issues, offered his own clarification seeking to bridge the gap with his boss in a post on Twitter, in which he clarified that the Iranians are “not getting any cash, and no money is being released simply for signing a deal or attending a meeting.” He wrote, “This deal is designed to ensure that the concerns of the United States and its allies are prioritized, and that if Iran meets its obligations, they and the entire region will benefit economically. This agreement has the potential to rebuild the region and bring lasting peace.”Vance also criticized “outlandish” reporting in sections of the press, including conservative media, that believe Trump is turning, saying, “The President is going to get us a good result one way or another.”Trump then reposted a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, indicating that the two sides were indeed close to an agreement. Aragchi wrote, “The Islamabad MoU has never been so close. Until it is finalized, the media should refrain from speculating about its contents. In line with our responsible and transparent approach, all details will be shared with the public in due course.” Trump has repeatedly suggested that there is a rift in the Iranian leadership between moderates and mullahs. Meanwhile, the US President is coming under fire in the US media for his repeated claims (40 by one count) that a deal is imminent, a claim now greeted with the weariness experienced by weary passengers who are repeatedly told that their delayed flight is expected to depart soon. “A lot of people are saying there’s going to be a deal. No one could announce a better deal than this; we’re going to make a deal like you’ve never seen before (terms and conditions apply),” quipped one wag, borrowing from the MAGA supremo’s customary expressions.