Trump warns Iran agreement is provisional, threatens resumption of military strikes if dissatisfied
US President Donald Trump has cautioned that the recently announced framework agreement with Iran is not yet finalised and could be abandoned, potentially leading to renewed military action. Speaking to reporters at the G7 Summit in France, Trump described the document as a 'memorandum of understanding' rather than a conclusive deal.
'It's not final. It's a memorandum of understanding. And if I don't like it, we'll go back to striking them,' Trump said, referring to the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran. He made the remarks while standing alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Despite the warning, Trump asserted that the framework is robust. 'Nobody knows what it is, but it's very strong,' he stated, without elaborating on the details of the agreement. The President noted that financial markets have reacted positively to the announcement, with stock indices rising and oil prices declining. 'The market has gone wild... oil has tumbled down. That speaks louder than words,' he added, suggesting economic indicators validate the diplomatic effort.
Trump also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage for global energy supplies, would reopen fully within days of a formal signing. 'It will be fully open a day or two after the signing,' he predicted.
The President further criticised his predecessor, Barack Obama, alleging that the former administration transferred $1.7 billion in cash to Iran as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump characterised the payment as a 'bribe' and claimed Iranian officials ridiculed Obama. The Obama administration had maintained that the funds represented a settlement of a decades-old financial dispute and were not a direct payment for the nuclear deal.
Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance indicated that both sides had already 'signed the deal digitally' and that any sanctions relief extended to Iran would be contingent on the country's compliance with the terms of the agreement. The memorandum of understanding is expected to be formally signed on Friday, though the exact commitments remain undisclosed.
The developments mark a significant diplomatic turn after months of heightened tensions and military exchanges between the two nations. Analysts caution that the provisional nature of the agreement leaves room for sudden escalations if either party perceives non-compliance.
