Let us, if only briefly, give thanks for the peacemakers, whatever their poor qualifications and whatever folly drove them to war in the first place.  On June 15, the secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council revealed that, based on the agreement reached with the United States, “the war and military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will end immediately and as of tonight, and in addition, the naval blockade against Iran will end immediately and completely.”  The Memorandum of Understanding between the states would be officially signed on June 19 in Geneva, with negotiations for a final solution “postponed until after the other party has fulfilled its obligations” under the MoU.  Tehran also offered thanks to the good offices of Pakistan and Qatar in aiding this change of fortunes.

US President Donald Trump, a poor author in writing history’s first draft, has busied himself with various statements on Truth Social.  He confirmed that a deal had been reached with Iran, while also briskly authorising “the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz” and “the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.  Ships around the World, start your engines.  Let the oil flow!”  

In another post betraying delusions of adequacy, the president suggested that “This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region. Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me.  The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace.”  Hard to believe that this was the same leader who went about amputating peace in the first place by commencing a war against Iran on February 28 in league with........

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