Middle East

A senior Abu Dhabi analyst tears into the coming US-Iran agreement, asking whether Washington has once again paid Iran to promise things.

The White House published the 14 clauses of the memorandum of understanding for ending the war against Iran within 60 days. The document reveals dramatic US concessions, including a massive economic development plan, the lifting of the naval blockade and permission for oil exports, in exchange for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the downblending of nuclear material.

The US is effectively lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, despite its statements that funds will be transferred to Tehran only after it meets its commitments. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz alongside this move could bring Iran tens of billions of dollars in the coming months. According to information from energy companies, interest in buying oil from Iran is growing, even for short-term contracts.

Tehran cleared to export crude immediately, with broader financial relief contingent on nuclear concessions.

The US president said at the G7 summit that the agreement with Tehran had been completed and was moving to the next stage of implementation. He said Iran would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons and that the US wanted to take possession of the enriched uranium held by the regime

Diplomatic officials confirm Washington secretly authorized Doha to transfer funds to Tehran in exchange for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and immunity from attacks. The dual policy was intended to curb global energy prices, and served as the basis for the memorandum of understanding being forged with the leadership of the Revolutionary Guards.

The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a green light to decouple the Lebanon front from the Iran deal – and said it will hold the line even if Washington keeps pushing back.

US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement that includes an Iranian commitment not to obtain nuclear weapons and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He later announced that the agreement had been finalized and ordered the US naval blockade lifted.

All the way, at any cost: The US president has adopted his Middle East envoys' position on Iran, and the price could be steep. At the same time, he has embraced a hostile narrative toward Netanyahu, in line with Vice President JD Vance's view that the prime minister is trying to derail the deal. Senior US officials are warning that anyone who dares oppose the chosen direction on Iran will pay a personal price.

In an unusual and tense call between the two leaders, the US president expressed anger over the Israeli strike in Dahiyeh, criticized Netanyahu's judgment and demanded that he refrain from further attacks. Trump claimed the move delayed the signing of the agreement with Iran and said he would act to prevent an Iranian response against Israel.