War-ending deal is signed by US and Iran, takes effect; commits Israel to terms it opposes
‘This was not easy,’ says Trump as he inks agreement; Iran gloats it achieved ‘everything’ it wanted; Hormuz to open ‘immediately’ but Tehran says tolls to be charged after 60 days; Netanyahu has distanced himself from deal
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a deal on Wednesday meant to end the Middle East war, causing it to go into effect two days earlier than originally envisioned, with Tehran obtaining large-scale economic relief and agreeing in principle to a subsequent dilution of its enriched uranium.
However, the interim deal itself does not resolve any of the war goals declared by the US and Israel on February 28, since it pushes off discussion of Iran’s nuclear program and other core issues to a 60-day negotiation process. Israel was not a party to the negotiations on the terms, and Israeli officials have expressed grave concern over them.
Trump put his signature on the memorandum of understanding during a candlelit dinner at the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit, as host French President Emmanuel Macron and other guests applauded, a video posted by a Trump aide showed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel is not a signatory to the deal, and has distanced himself from Trump’s decision to sign it. “This agreement was made by the United States, by the president of the United States. And he believes that he can truly combine both the opening of the [Strait of Hormuz] and the cancellation of the nuclear program… And I repeat and say that this is his decision, and he is leading it,” Netanyahu said on Monday.
“Of course, I expressed my view in various conversations,” he said. “On the other hand, I said that we have our own interests – first of all, regarding the nuclear threat. I am committed that there will not be such a threat facing us.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, quoted by the state news agency IRNA, said the document “was finalized with the signatures of the presidents.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-sign-war-ending-deal-which-enters-into-effect-2-days-earlier-than-planned/