Peloni: In recognition of the advantages which were abandoned by Trump’s preference for Peace thru Negotiation, the simple reality is that this gambit can only end in Trump entirely surrendering to Iran, or the resumption of the war which was the only basis of advantage which Trump ever had with the Iranians.
The new US-Iran memorandum offers Tehran sweeping concessions, but raises questions about whether Washington is relinquishing its leverage before securing meaningful restrictions
Janatan Sayeh
Excerpt
Pres. Donald Trump. Photo by The White House from Washington, DC – President Trump Travels to NC, Public Domain, Wikipedia
The odds had never been worse for the Islamic Republic than in early June 2026. Its missile infrastructure had been devastated, senior military leaders killed, nuclear facilities bombed, the repression apparatus weakened, oil exports reduced to zero, and inflation driven to its highest level since World War II. Through military action, the maximum pressure campaign, and a naval blockade, US President Donald Trump had assembled the strongest leverage ever brought to bear against Tehran.
Yet, whether the newly announced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) converts that upper hand into concessions, or cashes it in prematurely, is another matter. The agreement, if fully implemented, lifts the naval blockade, halts new sanctions, and grants Tehran waivers for oil exports and access to frozen assets.
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-900356
Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republic’s regional malign influence.
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