Trump’s pivot toward peace deal

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Defense &National Security

Defense &National Security

Trump’s sudden pivot toward peace deal

Washington and Tehran are reportedly closing in on a framework of a peace deal, news that broke only hours after President Trump announced a sudden end to his operation to break Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz.

The president again threatened to resume bombing if the deal falls through, but Trump’s moves underline his desire for an off-ramp as economic pain and political pressure mount.

According to Axios, the latest version of a one-page memorandum of understanding between the two sides would create a 30-day window to negotiate a more detailed agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, throttle Iran’s nuclear program and lift U.S. sanctions. Both sides would ease their blockades on shipping through the strait during that period. 

“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Wednesday morning. 

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

Hein Goemans, a political science professor at the University of Rochester who specializes in war termination, was skeptical that either side was willing to make the necessary concessions to reach a long-term peace deal. 

And whatever commitments Iran makes to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, all sides now recognize its military can shut it down again, wreaking havoc on global energy markets. 

“They can say whatever they want about the Strait of Hormuz, but that ship has sailed. It is, surprisingly, a diplomatic victory for Iran — a military victory for the United States, but a diplomatic victory for Iran,” he said. 

On the nuclear negotiations, a one-page memo will leave crucial details to be decided. 

“At minimum, the Iranians are thinking no deal with America is credible. America can change its mind overnight and then start bombing us even in the........

© The Hill