Middle East

Robert Reich -  Trump again claims victory in Iran. He’s claimed victory before, but now he has a so-called “agreement” with Iran. That agreement, which appears to be no more than a memo of understanding — that is, a set of principles to which Iran and the United States have agreed — stops the fighting and reopens the Strait of Hormuz but it does not deal with the issue that caused Trump to initiate the conflict: Iran’s nuclear program.

Keep that in mind as you hear various renditions of what’s been decided. Recall that the Strait of Hormuz was open before Trump began bombing Iran. At best, the agreement Trump is touting restores the status quo to where it was when he commenced hostilities. Remember also that Iran had agreed to limit its development of nuclear-grade materials in its treaty with the Obama administration, which Trump revoked in 2018.

So what has been accomplished? Iran now is under the control of a more extremist regime than when Trump started this war. Oil prices are far higher, and will take some time to return to where they were before it began (if they ever do). Meanwhile, Trump has caused the United States to be more dependent on fossil fuels than we were prior to his inauguration for a second time, and the high oil prices brought on by his war has enriched Vladimir Putin’s regime.

The war with Iran has cost the United States an estimated $90 billion, and that’s a conservative estimate. It has caused widespread suffering throughout the Middle East. It has put Israel in a more precarious situation than it was before — and much of that is due to Benjamin Netanyahu, who is not a party to, and has not approved, the agreement.

This doesn’t look like a victory. Compared to where the United States and the Middle East were on February 28, when Trump began this war, it’s a terrible failure.

NPR - Oil futures dropped 4% following Trump's announcement. Prices are still elevated compared to before the war, but are now cheaper than they have been at any point since the conflict began. Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen "for purposes of mine removal" after the deal is signed on Friday. While a reopening would ease pressure on the world's oil consumers, it would not mean an immediate return to pre-war oil supply levels and prices.

The Guardian - The US and Iran have announced a framework peace deal, expected to be signed later this week, that would bring their 15-week conflict to a tentative end, offering hope of relief for the Middle East and the world economy.

Iran said war and military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, would end permanently from Monday night. Donald Trump announced the opening of the strait of Hormuz as well as the removal of the US naval blockade, but did not mention Lebanon.

What do we know about the deal? Leaked drafts suggest an immediate 60-day period of intensive technical talks, during which the most contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, will be discussed. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said negotiators would seek to reach a broader agreement including sanctions relief.

What has been the reaction in Iran? The Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, reports anger among the country’s hardliners, who say the proposed deal does not guarantee an end to sanctions, compensation or control of the strait of Hormuz.

And in Israel? Israel’s defense minister has said its forces “will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza – indefinitely – to defend the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements”. Israel was frozen out of talks, despite having jointly launched the assault on Iran with the US.

Congressional Insider -  Key reported terms include a 60-day ceasefire extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran pledging never to develop nuclear weapons.

Iranian officials say no final deal has been reached, and key terms are still being worked out.

Trump blasted Iran on social media after Iranian state media leaked deal terms he says were completely wrong.