Iran’s Supreme Leader has ridiculed Donald Trump’s eagerness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while agreeing to a peace deal that ends the war and lifts the existing US naval blockade, which favors the Islamic Republic. Mojtaba Khamenei announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the presidents of Iran and the United States, highlighting the extensive efforts made by officials and accusing the American president of resorting to various tactics out of desperation.
Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian inked the interim deal, marking the conclusion of the three-month conflict. Following this, the US Central Command confirmed the cessation of maritime traffic blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, with Vice President JD Vance reporting that 12.5 million barrels of oil passed through the strait on the same day.
Currently, the US Navy has a significant presence in the waters near Iran, including over a dozen ships and two aircraft carriers. Central Command emphasized that the US Navy ships will oversee the implementation of the agreement to ensure compliance.
Khamenei expressed initial disagreements with President Pezeshkian regarding handling Trump but eventually approved the peace deal upon receiving assurances that excessive American demands would not be entertained. The agreement stipulates Iran’s immediate actions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and sell oil without restrictions, along with a substantial financial aid package for post-war reconstruction and the lifting of all American and UN sanctions on Tehran.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, primarily aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, saw shifting goals from the Trump administration. The interim deal halts the conflict before achieving this goal, initiating a two-month period for nuclear negotiations and offering immediate benefits to Iran while demanding little in return.
Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized the peace deal as a significant error, labeling it as a misguided act of appeasement. Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz described the agreement as a strategic disaster, highlighting the shift in the US stance towards Iran and the failure to address key Israeli demands regarding Iran’s military capabilities and nuclear facilities.
The aftermath of the deal raises political and strategic concerns, challenging Netanyahu’s narrative on Iran and revealing the limitations of Israel’s influence with the US. The agreement has left Israel isolated regionally and globally, contrasting with Iran’s perceived success in achieving its objectives.