US President Donald Trump has angrily defended his controversial deal with Iran to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lashing out at opponents and branding critics of the agreement as “fools.”
The Trump administration this week unveiled a memorandum of understanding with Tehran that provides for an immediate cessation of military hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, alongside a roadmap for further negotiations.
Under the interim deal, the US is set to lift its naval blockade on ships entering and leaving Iran within 30 days, while the Treasury Department will issue waivers on Iranian oil exports and move toward lifting sanctions and unfreezing Iranian assets in foreign accounts.
The agreement also opens the door for up to 300 billion dollars in private investment into Iran’s infrastructure sector, as both sides enter a 60‑day window to finalize talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and other outstanding issues.
Trump has framed the accord as a necessary step to stop the war, stabilise global energy markets and prevent what he called an “economic catastrophe,” arguing that allowing Iran to retain some ballistic missiles was a trade‑off to secure a broader cessation of hostilities.
In a Truth Social post, Trump blasted those accusing him of being soft on Tehran, saying critics who think he has not been tough enough on Iran are “either jealous, bad people, or stupid,” while touting record stock market highs and “tumbling” oil prices after news of the deal.
US media and foreign policy hawks have condemned the agreement as a major concession to Iran, accusing Trump of abandoning pre‑war objectives and strengthening Tehran’s regional influence in exchange for short‑term economic and political gains.
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