If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s that Iran is already breaking the MOU, and the U.S. will be able to abandon its stated commitments to ...
Elaborating on today’s grim assessment of the U.S.-Iran MOU (I might use a different three-letter acronym to describe the so-called deal): if you’re looking for a silver lining, it is that at some point, the Iranians will renege or fail to keep their word beyond what they’ve already done in a way that makes the deal a farce, and the U.S. will be able to abandon its stated commitments to a terrible deal.
So far, Iran has declared that it is shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, contending that Israeli strikes against Hezbollah are a violation of the MOU. (Note that Israel was not involved in the MOU negotiations.)
But note that some of our concessions began immediately upon Trump’s signing it, on Wednesday, June 17. Among them:
- Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days.
- The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MOU, and until the termination of sanctions, the U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives, and all associated services including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
Of course, the first provision in the deal is “The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, and their allies in the current war, by signing this MoU, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.”
Of course, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” By threatening to use force again, Trump has technically violated a deal he signed four days earlier.