While the Iranians suffered substantial losses in the war, they emerged from a confrontation with the world’s most powerful military having proved they can use economic chaos as a weapon.
The U.S., Iran and the mediators are discussing holding the signing of the memorandum of understanding remotely as early as Wednesday, rather than in-person on Friday, according to a diplomat from one of the mediating countries and a second source familiar with the discussions. Why it matters: If that happens, the MOU would be signed electronically, the parts of the deal concerning the Strait of Hormuz would go into effect, and the U.S. might finally release the text of the agreement. - The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue. - Another factor could be the political pressure on the White House to…
President Trump is under pressure to significantly improve upon the Obama-era deal in order to justify the huge human and economic cost of taking the United States to war.
The U.S.-Iran deal was signed electronically on Sunday by President Trump , Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, senior administration officials told reporters on Monday. Why it matters: The deal is already testing whether Washington and Tehran can turn a battlefield pause into a broader settlement — starting with the Strait of Hormuz, and then moving to the far thornier question of Iran's nuclear program. State of play: A 60-day ceasefire extension is in effect, U.S. officials say, including in Lebanon. But the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to begin reopening until after a formal signing ceremony Friday in Geneva. - Vance, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Ghalibaf and Iranian…
While the president says the agreement with Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz and provide economic relief, the country’s nuclear program is still a subject for negotiation.