Donald Trump had claimed just a few days ago that "significant" progress had been made toward an agreement between the USA and Iran. (Image X @WarFlash_2630)
Washington: With the Middle East Conflict between USA, Israel and Iran seemingly heading for a conclusion, the warring nations are vying to ensure that they get a bigger share of the pie once a peace deal is signed. US President Donald Trump is about to take a big step in this direction as he is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with members of his cabinet on Wednesday.
Discussions during this meeting are expected to focus on finalizing a proposed agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Iran. However, some of Trump's supporters and prominent leaders within the Republican Party have already begun expressing concerns regarding this agreement. They believe that such a deal could breathe new life into Iran's hardline regime.
Donald Trump had claimed just a few days ago that "significant" progress had been made toward an agreement between the USA and Iran. However, he had clarified that negotiations to end the Iran war are still passing through a delicate phase. The US President enters this meeting confident that an agreement - one that facilitates the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and significantly curtails Iran's nuclear capabilities - will prove to be a major political victory for him.
The details of the agreement that have emerged so far have drawn sharp criticism from within the Republican Party, primarily because several key issues appear to have been deferred to a later stage. Senior leaders—such as Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Ted Cruz of Texas—argue that the proposed terms are excessively favorable to Tehran.
These leaders allege that this agreement bears a strong resemblance to former President Barack Obama's Iran nuclear deal, which Trump had unilaterally withdrawn from during his first term. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Iran appears willing to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in exchange for sanctions relief. According to sources, this uranium could be sold off or transferred to a third country within 60 days. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran currently possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity.
It is worth noting that tensions have escalated further following US strikes carried out in southern Iran on Monday. The Pentagon characterized these strikes as "defensive," whereas Iran denounced them as an act of "deception." Foreign Minister Marco Rubio stated that it could take several more days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure a permanent ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday that even if Iran were to surrender completely, the media would still portray it as a "magnificent victory" for Iran.
On the other hand, a major unresolved issue concerns Israel's military operations in Lebanon. Iran insists that any ceasefire agreement must also encompass Israeli actions against Hezbollah. The U.S. administration is demonstrating some flexibility on this front, but Israel has intensified its campaign in Lebanon. Former Israeli spokesperson Jonathan Conricus warned that Iran would utilize any sanctions relief it receives to bolster its proxy factions.
On Monday, Trump suggested that any agreement reached with Iran should include a stipulation requiring nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords. However, according to sources within the Gulf nations, this proposal has been met with "silence."
Saudi Arabia continues to regard the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite. Barbara Leaf, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that U.S. allies in the Middle East believe Iran will exploit any relief to enhance its military capabilities; nevertheless, they are supporting Trump's efforts to end the conflict, as they are left with no other viable alternative. This announcement was made during Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides' recent visit to India.
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