WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday lashed out at criticism over the terms of the interim peace deal he signed with Iran, saying those who think he hasn’t been tough enough on Tehran were “either jealous, bad people or stupid.”
His comments come shortly after the US president and his Iranian counterpart signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire, including in Lebanon, and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The interim agreement has prompted many to conclude that the terms appear to have strengthened Tehran’s hand and the US media appear unanimous in condemning Trump’s concessions to Iran.
The agreement is “widely seen as the biggest foreign-policy bet of the president’s second term,” according to the Wall Street Journal, who noted Trump “will face resistance from Iran policy hawks who say the president is giving up far more than he is getting.”
The deal sees both sides commit to further talks to reach a final agreement over the next 60 days and includes a $300 billion plan for Iran’s reconstruction as well as the removal of “all types” of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
“These fools, who think I haven’t been tough enough on Iran, when the Stock Market Just Hit A RECORD HIGH, and Oil prices are ‘tumbling’ down, are either jealous, bad people, or stupid,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
Iranian leaders have broadly sought to frame the agreement as a strategic victory. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the MOU as an opportunity to tackle Iran’s economic and political problems, saying it could help to create “a different world” in Iran and the Middle East.
“This is a historical document and a message from a powerful Iran: Peace will be realized in the shadow of mutual respect,” Pezeshkian said in a social media post, alongside images of the signed MOU.
Under the MOU, Iran says it will allow the safe passage of commercial ships without tolls for 60 days only. The country will then hold talks with Oman “to define the future administration and maritime services” in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with the other Gulf states.
“The White House agreed to this ceasefire extension that met none of its prewar objectives while providing enormous financial concessions to Tehran,” said US TV network MS NOW.
“Now, the administration is desperately trying to argue otherwise. Quite simply, Trump got played by the Iranians, and no one is buying his spin job.”
“As a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, which mediated the agreement, said on X.
Under the text, Washington also commits to immediately waive oil sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.
In justifying the interim peace deal with Iran, Trump reaffirmed his view that Tehran should never be able to acquire a nuclear weapon.
He did say, however, that Iran should have the right to enrich uranium, receive access to billions of dollars in frozen funds and be allowed to develop ballistic missiles. All of these issues test what has up until now been red lines for the Trump administration.
The US president, attending a meeting of G7 leaders in France, said he hoped the deal would deliver peace across the region and lower oil prices. He also threatened to resume attacks on Iran if they failed to honor their commitments.
“If you don’t adhere to the agreement, I don’t want to do that, but we’re going to bomb the hell out of you,” Trump said at a news conference.
Trump’s interim agreement with Iran has raised questions over whether his peace agreement with Tehran was worth nearly four months of war. It also invited comparisons to former President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Tehran.
Trump scrapped the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was agreed in 2015 under the Obama administration, during his first term in office, calling it “an embarrassment” to him as a US citizen.
Speaking to ABC News in an interview on Sunday, ahead of the new deal being announced, Obama said he was “doubtful” any deal with Iran put forward by the Trump administration would be “significantly different” from the JCPOA.
Source: Saudi Gazette