Trump unveils Iran deal, eyes wider Middle East pact (Ld)

Evian (France), June 17 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled the details of a new agreement with Iran that, he said, would prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and create an opportunity for a broader diplomatic reset across the Middle East.

Speaking at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France, Trump said the agreement would end the current conflict and launch negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement while preserving the option of renewed military action if Iran failed to comply.

“On Sunday, we reached an agreement with Iran that achieves everything we set out to accomplish,” Trump said.

“Ending the current conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Senior US officials later released the text of a 14-paragraph memorandum of understanding that commits Iran not to “procure or develop nuclear weapons”, restores commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and establishes a 60-day period for negotiating a final agreement.

The memorandum also links sanctions relief to Iranian compliance and provides for international oversight of Tehran’s enriched nuclear material.

Trump said the agreement had received strong backing from leaders attending the summit, including PM Modi and several Gulf leaders.

“Prime Minister Modi was here, we had a long talk,” Trump said.

“They are thrilled that we made a deal.”

The President said he also consulted with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt during the summit.

Beyond the nuclear issue, Trump said the agreement could serve as the foundation for wider regional diplomacy.

“As I expressed to the world leaders here this week, it’s my hope that the peace agreement will be the beginning of a much larger deal all across the Middle East,” he said.

Trump specifically pointed to expanding the Abraham Accords, stabilising Lebanon and addressing Iran-backed proxy groups as future priorities.

“So, the expansion of the Abraham Accords is the other thing that we hope we’re going to get,” he said.

At the same time, Trump publicly urged Israel to show greater restraint in Lebanon.

“You can do a little softer touch, Bibi,” he said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah.”

Trump also credited Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin with remaining neutral during the conflict.

“I want to thank China, President Xi,” Trump said.

“He stayed neutral.”

“And I want to thank Vladimir Putin; he was very neutral.”

The President argued that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would help lower global energy prices and reduce pressure on consumers and businesses.

“Oil prices are plummeting,” Trump said.

For India and other major energy importers, stability in the Strait of Hormuz is a critical concern because a significant portion of global crude oil exports passes through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to international markets.

Trump nevertheless made clear that the agreement would be enforced through a combination of diplomacy, economic pressure and the threat of military force.

“If they don’t adhere to the agreement,” he said, “we’re going to bomb the hell out of them.”

–IANS

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