WASHINGTON — The White House has told supporters that US President Donald Trump has accomplished his goals in the war with Iran, despite the details of an initial agreement remaining unclear and with negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program still to be held.

In a series of talking points sent to Trump supporters and Republican members of Congress this week, the White House proclaimed major victories, such as Iran agreeing to never have a nuclear weapon (which it had always proclaimed it does not seek), reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz (which Iran only closed as a result of the conflict), and fighting in Lebanon ending (which is far from guaranteed).

The talking points, on White House letterhead, were obtained by The Associated Press from two recipients of the document and go against some of the realities on the ground, especially regarding what Israel has agreed to in its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. That began when the terror group attacked northern Israel with rockets and drones in support of Iran. Israel has bombed Hezbollah sites and also invaded southern Lebanon, where it is now holding what it calls a security zone.

But the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, expected to be signed Friday in Switzerland, is still a closely guarded secret, even from Republican allies in Congress and the Israelis. That has led to confusion, concern, and skepticism among all but the most hardcore Trump supporters about what has been agreed to.

Republicans acknowledged that the initial deal, by remaining under wraps, has created a vacuum that is being filled by potential misinformation.

“You don’t know what’s true and what’s not true — is it in there?” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican of West Virginia. “My speculation is that it’s probably still being written and fine-tuned, and the administration is not ready to release it until it’s all done.”

Asked why he was not releasing the terms of the initial agreement, Trump told reporters Tuesday at the Group of Seven summit in France that he would “like to get a formal setting first before we do that.”

“I’ll not only release it,” he went on to say, “I’ll probably have a press conference and read it to you word by word, so that the press covers it accurately.”

Comparison with Obama accord

Trump said he was open to submitting an eventual agreement to Congress for review and approval.

“I like the idea, send it to Congress please,” Trump said. “I mean who wouldn’t approve it?”

Submitting a nuclear agreement with Iran to Congress........

© The Times of Israel