Trump meets team to decide on Iran deal

President Trump said on Friday that he’s convening his national security team in the White House Situation Room to make a final decision about the agreement reached between U.S. and Iranian negotiators.

Why it matters: The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war started, but a final agreement tackling Trump‘s nuclear demands would require further negotiations.

• The text of the MOU — which involves a 60-day ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — was largely agreed to as of Tuesday, but Trump told the mediators he needed more time to make a decision.

What he’s saying: In a Truth Social post on Friday morning, Trump emphasized the main elements in the deal and seemingly suggested he would accept it.

• He stressed Iran must agree that “they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”
• He claimed the Strait of Hormuz must be immediately open without tolls, for “unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.” He noted Iran will complete “the immediate removal and/or detonation of any mines that are left” in the strait.
• “Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’ Trump wrote.

Between the lines: The MOU states that Iran will agree to negotiate on its nuclear program, but does not include specific concessions.

• Trump claimed that Iran’s enriched uranium, “which is buried deep underground … will be unearthed by the United States … in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED.”
• U.S. officials say they have verbal commitments from the Iranians on the nuclear material, but that what matters is what is agreed to when the sides get in the room for the formal negotiations.
• Trump claimed, “No money will be exchanged, until further notice,” referring to Iran’s frozen funds in accounts around the world.

The other side: Iran’s Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, denied some of Trump’s comments and quoted “informed sources” as saying the MOU “is in the final stages of approval in Iran, and no final decision has yet been made.”

• Fars claimed Trump is trying to “project a fabricated victory” and is “distorting” the MOU’s text. The sources Fars quoted claimed that after the U.S. blockade is lifted, Iran will reopen the strait “according to arrangements it determines itself” and that could include “monitoring and inspection of ships, the provision of services, and security measures.”
• Fars also claimed Iran would receive “immediate payment of $12 billion” in frozen assets” and that no further negotiations would take place until the money was paid. U.S. officials claim Iran would only receive frozen funds as part of a final nuclear deal.
• Fars also said the MOU includes a ceasefire in Lebanon “in accordance with Hezbollah’s position.” U.S. officials said the deal would include a ceasefire in Lebanon.
  
  This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

المصدر: Axios