Donald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming it delivered a “major win” for the US – even as it made significant political and financial concessions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent a “worldwide depression”. In extraordinary remarks, Trump went from threatening Iran with new attacks to suggesting the country had basic rights to enrich uranium for civilian use, that he would not pressure Tehran to abandon its ballistic missiles program, and that the US was “going to have to give back” billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said: “The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge.” Analysis by Andrew Roth notes that the US entered the war with maximalist goals but exits with a pragmatic decision to end conflict despite the political cost.
US Republican reactions have been mixed. Senator Lindsey Graham softened his view after a conversation with special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Senator Ted Cruz said: “History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea.” Senator Bill Cassidy declared: “Reagan is rolling over in his grave.”
