Trump, Pezeshkian sign deal to end Iran war, reopen Hormuz

The interim deal between the US and Iran is set to trigger a period of 60 days over which the most divisive issue between the two countries would be addressed —Tehran’s nuclear program.

Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb was a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war with Israel in February, but the tentative agreement leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point.

The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, from which Trump pulled the US in his first term, took many months to negotiate.

Under terms of the initial deal, Iran would immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments and would be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, a US official said.

Iran is also set to receive at least $300 billion for reconstruction and the US would work to end all American and UN sanctions imposed on Tehran. That is, if a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program is reached after the 60-day period for talks.

The initial agreement said the sides agreed to resolve “the disposition” of Iran’s highly enriched uranium during that period.

Critics on the right and left question Iran deal 

Still, there is deep skepticism among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers that the deal is realistic, workable or would have any effect on subsequent nuclear talks.

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and former US ambassador to the UN, wrote that Iranians will use any funds received “to further their nuclear ambitions and on terrorist proxies against us.”

“It’s a huge mistake to pay to rebuild the threat we just destroyed,” she added.