President Donald Trump has changed his public approach to Iran, deliberately stepping back from the bombastic rhetoric that defined his first term and moving to what he calls "low keying it" as negotiators close in on a maritime deal for the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with Axios published Tuesday, Trump described the talks as a long game. "It's like a chess game," he said. "You don't sit there screaming at the board. You move pieces quietly and wait for the right moment."

Quiet shift in strategy

Administration officials say Trump has instructed his national security team to avoid public commentary on sensitive details of the emerging agreement. The shift marks a clear departure from the president's earlier habit of announcing deadlines and threats on social media.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the change. "The president understands that sometimes the most powerful moves are the ones that happen away from the cameras," Leavitt said in a statement. "He is letting the negotiators do their work."

Negotiators are finalizing a framework that would establish safety protocols for commercial shipping in the strait and create a direct communication channel between Washington and Tehran for de-escalation, according to a senior State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing talks.

Deal structure emerges

The emerging accord includes agreed inspection procedures, a hotline for naval commanders, and a commitment from Tehran to avoid harassing tankers in international waters, the official said. In exchange, the United States would ease some banking restrictions tied to humanitarian trade with Iran, the official added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been leading the diplomatic track. Rubio told reporters Wednesday that the administration is "not going to telegraph every move" and said the chess analogy from the president is apt.

"You do not win by threatening checkmate every day," Rubio said. "You win by positioning your pieces so that your opponent has no good options."

Congressional reaction

The quieter approach has drawn mixed reactions on Capitol Hill. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and frequent Iran hawk, said he supports the tactical shift but remains wary of any deal that does not address Iran's nuclear program.

"Low keying is fine as long as we are not getting low balled," Cotton said in an interview. "The president needs to show that we are not desperate for an agreement."

Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, said the change in tone is welcome but called for clear oversight. "A deal that reduces the chance of a naval confrontation in the Hormuz is good, but Congress must see the text before any commitments are made," Murphy said.

Iran's perspective

Iranian officials have also softened their public language. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as "serious and realistic" in a state television interview over the weekend. He repeated Iran's demand for verifiable sanctions relief but avoided the anti-American rhetoric common in past months.

Analysts say both sides have reasons for restraint. A naval clash in the strait would disrupt oil shipments and could draw in multiple powers. Global oil prices have already dipped in recent weeks on expectations of a deal, according to traders.

"The market is watching this closely," said Helima Croft, an energy analyst at RBC Capital Markets. "If the deal collapses, prices will spike immediately."

Stakes for Trump

For Trump, achieving a visible deal would be a foreign policy victory before the November midterm elections. But the president's own party is split between those who want a hard line on Iran and those who see an agreement as a stabilizing win.

Trump's comment to Axios reflects his belief that unpredictability can work in his favor. "If I tell you my next move, then it is not a move," he said. "The board changes every time we talk."

The administration has not set a public deadline for signing. Leavitt said the president will announce when he is ready.

"He is playing the long game," Leavitt said. "And he is comfortable with the silence."