Donald Trump and JD Vance (file picture) (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has joked he may blame JD Vance if the deal with Iran doesn’t work out, as details of the agreement have come to light. The US President said at his G7 news conference that the deal would be formally signed on Friday in Switzerland.
He also added “importantly, Iran has agreed it will neither produce nor procure a nuclear weapon”. Mr Trump also said he is not sure he will “stick around” for the signing ceremony, adding that if the deal is not signed he can blame Vice-President JD Vance.
It is understood the deal includes the end of the US naval blockade, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which will remain toll-free for 60 days, and the end of the conflict in Lebanon.
Mr Trump also praised Iran’s new group of leaders, saying they are “very smart” and “far less radicalised” before admitting the conflict could result in an “economic catastrophe”. He said: “I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened.” But Mr Trump, however, also said he will “bomb the hell” out of Iran if it doesn’t stick to the agreement.
The deal, it is understood, will also ensure Iran can “never obtain a nuclear weapon” but will allow Iran to start selling its oil without restrictions.
It also holds out the prospect of providing at least 300 billion US dollars (£223 billion) to Iran to rebuild after the war, although it is understood this would be subject to a final agreement being concluded on its nuclear programme, as would the lifting of sanctions and the release of assets frozen abroad.
The move to allow Iran to sell its oil freely immediately, and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions, represent major concessions that go beyond the terms of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from in his first term, branding it the “worst deal ever”.
The new pact is likely to face criticism in Washington and appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched the military offensive with Mr Trump on February 28. It has been said the deal calls for an immediate end to all fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
The US President has taken a further sideswipe at the UK for refusing to be drawn into the Iran conflict. He renewed his criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he pointed out countries now wanted to be involved in reopening the Strait of Hormuz but “not while the war was going on”. He made his comments after saying the US did not need Britain and other European allies to send minesweepers to the waterway, but if they did it would be “good”.
Mr Trump also appeared to criticise some Israeli strikes on Lebanon. He described Israel as a “good partner”, he appeared to criticise some of Tel Aviv’s actions against Lebanese infrastructrure. He said: “I’m not saying they shouldn’t protect themselves. I’m saying when two drones are shot into the desert and drop harmlessly, you don’t have to knock down buildings in Beirut.”
He added: “They could behave better. And frankly, they could do a better job. I love them as a partner. They’re terrific. But they could do a much better job with Hezbollah on that. I don’t think they’re doing well. And I feel very bad for Lebanon.”
