'Either jealous, bad people, or stupid': Trump unloads on Iran agreement critics

US President Donald Trump on Thursday pushed back sharply against criticism of the Iran agreement, after the White House and Iranian officials said both sides had signed an interim memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

The deal, which was also signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, calls for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an easing of sanctions, and a 60-day negotiating window for a more durable settlement.

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A brisk rebuttal across the aisle

Via social media, Trump wrote that critics who said he had not been tough enough on Iran were “either jealous, bad people, or stupid.”

Trump called such opponents “fools” and said oil prices were “tumbling” as he defended the agreement. The criticism came as some Republicans also voiced concern about the deal’s terms and the scope of concessions to Tehran.

An accord with many moving parts

The agreement was released by the two governments after Trump and Pezeshkian signed it, with the memorandum extending a ceasefire for another 60 days and allowing negotiators to work on a final truce.

The pact includes the resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz “with no charge,” the lifting of a US blockade on Iranian ports, the waiving of US sanctions, and the creation of a $300 billion investment fund for Iran’s post-war reconstruction.

Iran also agreed to on-site “down-blending” of its enriched uranium stockpile under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision, while the country’s ballistic missile program was not included in the text.

Oil traders waste no time

Markets reacted quickly to the diplomatic move. Brent crude fell nearly 3% on Thursday to $78.02 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped to $74.57 a barrel, both at their lowest since the war began. Traders were pricing in a faster-than-expected return of Iranian oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

The agreement has now set up a fresh round of negotiations over nuclear issues and implementation details, with officials in Geneva and Switzerland expected to take up the next stage of talks.

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FAQs

Q1: What does the new US-Iran agreement include?

Ans: The interim agreement includes a ceasefire extension, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and a 60-day window for further negotiations.

Q2: Why did Donald Trump criticize opponents of the Iran deal?

Ans: Trump said critics of the agreement were undermining a deal he argued had helped reduce tensions and lower oil prices.