Arabic version: احتفال حلفاء ترامب باتفاق إيران الجديد بينما يطالب الديمقراطيون بالوضوح
A newly struck deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran is being hailed as a strategic victory by President Donald Trump and his allies, though specific terms of the agreement remain unknown. Praise from supporters poured in for the president on Sunday, despite questions over which commitments would be included in the initial memorandum of understanding to be signed on Friday, and which issues, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, would be opened only for negotiations when the deal is inked. According to Al Jazeera, US Vice President JD Vance pointed to falling oil prices in the immediate aftermath of the announcement, claiming it could signal a “new era” for the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio connected the announcement to Trump’s 80th birthday, celebrating the president’s leadership qualities. Several Republicans took to social media to hail Trump as the “deal-maker in chief.” Congressman Robert Aderholt echoed Trump’s claims that the new deal would impose stricter limits on Iran’s nuclear programme compared to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, no immediate commitments on Tehran’s nuclear activities were indicated in the memorandum.
Both US and Iranian officials stated that the initial deal would halt fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and would resume traffic in the Strait of Hormuz while lifting the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports. However, Iranian officials cautioned that the agreement would only serve as a starting point for 60 days of negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and other entrenched issues.
Democrats have expressed skepticism regarding the deal, with Representative Seth Moulton labeling it a “surrender document” and questioning the deal’s efficacy given the costs of the war. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called for more clarity on the agreement while acknowledging the focus on diplomacy. The lead negotiator of the JCPOA under Obama, Robert Malley, noted that while the deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it also highlighted the failures of the preceding war.
As the 60-day deadline on key issues approaches, Trump hinted at the possibility of restarting attacks on Iran if a nuclear agreement is not reached, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the Middle East.
