WASHINGTON: Donald Trump can claim a diplomatic victory after reaching an agreement with Iran to end the war in the Middle East, but numerous pitfalls remain and the US president has lost political capital.
The cautious reception to the Sunday announcement of the memorandum of understanding with Iran — scheduled to be signed in Geneva on Friday — reflects prevailing skepticism at a time when the war is unpopular due to the soaring oil prices and inflation it has caused.
The deal ends nearly four months of conflict, paving the way for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions.
It effectively extends the current ceasefire by 60 days and provides for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic artery for oil and gas shipments — before the start of what promise to be extremely sensitive negotiations.
Launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel, the war has set the Middle East on fire and caused thousands of deaths — mainly in Iran and Lebanon — and destabilized global trade.
