Trump is keeping 50,000 troops in the Middle East despite signing a deal with Iran
Iran deal could be ‘dangerous’ for Israel, former Israeli ambassador says
Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren discusses the Iran deal, warning its details could be “lethal” to Israel’s security. Oren notes that the deal fails to address key goals such as ending Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile system, and state-sponsored terrorism. He expresses “deep concern” that the nuclear stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unanswered questions.
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The Trump administration will keep the Middle East military build-up in place despite signing a new deal with Iran, underscoring Washington’s continued mistrust of Iran as the two sides enter a 60-day negotiation period.
“The plan is to maintain the status quo during the 60-day negotiations,” the US official told reporters in a telephone call on Monday. “We’re hoping to pull them down, but we’re not doing that yet.”
“The agreement talks about the reduction of troops in the region after the last agreement,” said the official.
Officials said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had already signed the memorandum, and that details of the deal would be released publicly in the next 24 to 48 hours. An official signing ceremony is expected later in the week.
The Trump administration will keep the military buildup in the Middle East in place despite signing a new deal with Iran, underscoring Washington’s continued mistrust of Tehran as the two sides enter a 60-day negotiation period. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
BUILT FOR WEEKS OF WAR: WITHIN THE BATTLE NUMBER THE US STANDS BEHIND THE MIDDLE EAST.
The decision means the Pentagon will maintain a military posture that recently included nearly 50,000 troops deployed in the Middle East, one of the largest deployments of US troops in the region in more than two decades. Publicly available ship tracking data shows at least two carrier strike groups remain in US Central Command’s area of ​​responsibility.
Officials have repeatedly stressed that any sanctions relief, asset freezes or future concessions will be tied to Iranian assurances and performance, not promises alone, with a senior official admitting that the two sides remain in the early stages of “trust-building.”
That lack of trust was reflected in the administration’s interpretation of the deal, which differed in significant ways from accounts published by Iranian officials and state-linked media.
VANCE SAYS KEY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GOALS ACHIEVED IN US-IRAN DEAL.
White House officials stressed Monday that no frozen Iranian assets had been released and said any easing of sanctions would depend on Iran’s performance during future negotiations.
Officials said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pictured above, have signed a memorandum with Iran. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)
Officials said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had signed the memorandum. (Ting Shen/AFP via Getty Images)
“The simple fact is, $0 of unfrozen goods have been exported by the United States or any other country,” said one official.
Iranian officials and state-affiliated media described the draft as paving the way for the release of about $24 million in frozen Iranian funds and broader economic relief during the negotiations.
White House officials have denied reports that any funds have been released and have repeatedly stressed that future economic deals will be obtained in accordance with the advance provision.
IRAN GOES NUCLEAR AGAIN AND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ FACES TRUMP AS A VICTORY OVER US, ISRAEL
“We will do small actions for that at first, if they will affect us a little,” said the official.
While Trump has touted the deal as a potential turning point in US-Iran relations, the memorandum itself has narrowed in scope. The draft extends the ceasefire, establishes a 60-day negotiation window and seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which nearly one-fifth of oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass.
The reopening of the Strait would appear to be an immediate and economically significant outcome of the agreement. White House officials said the memorandum provided for the opening of the waterway and lifting of the shipping blockade, although they warned that commercial shipping could take days or weeks to return to normal levels as mines are cleared and shipping companies regain confidence in the route.
Officials also said the deal required the Strait to remain open for free during the 60-day negotiations. Administrators expect shipping traffic to increase significantly in the coming days, easing pressure on global energy markets.
The deal, officials said, creates a framework in which Iran can finally get relief from sanctions and broader access to the global economy in exchange for affirmative action to ensure it does not rebuild its nuclear program and curb support for terrorism and regional instability.
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“If they are willing to behave like a normal country, we are willing to treat them like a normal country,” said another official.
The prospect of renewed traffic through the Strait has already changed world markets. Oil prices fell following news of the deal as traders bet that one of the world’s key energy chokepoints could return to normal operation.
