Trump's Iran Deal Under Fire as Analysts Warn of 'Strategic Defeat'
The new agreement between the United States and Iran has drawn sharp criticism from analysts, with a former security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that it may be worse than the 2015 nuclear deal that Donald Trump once vehemently opposed.
Jacob Nagel, who served as Netanyahu's national security adviser, described the Memorandum of Understanding as a 'catastrophe' that is 'hollow, devoid of substantive substance and completely detached from the core issues.' Writing for the Jerusalem Post, Nagel questioned whether Trump wants to be remembered as the leader who corrected Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, or as the one who signed an even worse agreement when Tehran was at its weakest.
The deal, announced on Sunday by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, includes an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, key issues such as the fate of Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.
Sky's International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn called the agreement a 'tacit admission of a strategic defeat' by the Trump administration, as its military objectives have not been achieved. US Vice President JD Vance, however, insisted that the deal ensures Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.
Internal US Divisions Over the Deal
Axios reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth raised concerns and questions over the deal in internal discussions, while Vice President JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner advocated for it. CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly told Trump and other senior officials that intelligence raised doubts about Iran's willingness to make nuclear concessions in any final deal.
Israeli Anger and Strategic Concerns
Israelis from across the political spectrum reacted angrily to the news, calling it a disaster for Israel and directing their fury at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics say Netanyahu led Trump into the war with Iran while overpromising what it could achieve, and now Trump might be dragging Israel out of the conflict before it feels ready.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview: 'Israel is paying the price of Netanyahu's hubris and blindness, and the price of the manipulations that he tried to pull on Trump. Iran emerged stronger; Israel emerged weaker. That is Netanyahu's strategic responsibility. He failed.'
Benny Gantz, chair of the Blue and White Party in Israel, labelled the ceasefire agreement as a 'strategic failure' that will require Israel to engage in diplomatic, military, and legal struggles in the coming years.
Strait of Hormuz and Global Impact
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas supplies, has been largely blocked since the start of the war. President Trump said the strait is 'already partially opened' and will fully reopen on Friday, when the US and Iran are set to formally sign the memorandum of understanding in Switzerland. However, the head of Iran's merchant marine union, Saman Rezaei, told Al Jazeera that the transit system in the strait will 'never return to its pre-war condition.'
At least three Iranian oil tankers and two cargo ships have passed the US naval blockade, Iranian news outlets reported. The UK and France have led plans for a defensive mission to protect shipping in the channel once hostilities end.
International Reactions
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK stands 'ready to help' develop the agreement into a lasting peace. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the deal 'gives us hope and determination,' but stressed that Iran must fundamentally change its behaviour before any EU sanctions can be lifted. New Zealand welcomed the deal as a step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability.
Hezbollah congratulated Iran on the peace deal while warning Israel 'there will be no return to the pre-March 2 status quo.' The Lebanese Army asked residents to exercise caution and vigilance following the ceasefire news.
Trump Slams Netanyahu
President Trump slammed Netanyahu as a 'very difficult guy' who should be thankful for the deal, as it saved Israel from nuclear destruction. Trump also denied reports of a US pay-out to Iran, calling them 'Fake News.'
The specifics of the deal are yet to be officially confirmed, but Iranian state media reported that it includes Iran committing not to produce nuclear weapons, a permanent ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon, and an end to some US sanctions on Iran. Talks on a final deal will happen over a 60-day period.
