President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday that the U.S. and Iran had reached a new agreement that provides a pathway to ending the more-than 100-day-old conflict was mocked by some political analysts as "insulting."
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had fully authorized the "toll-free" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a global waterway that accounts for 20% of global energy trade. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been mediating the talks, posted on X that the agreement "[laid] the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony," which is scheduled for this Friday.
The announcement was made less than one hour before Trump's "UFC Freedom 250" event at the White House began. It also sent Brent crude oil prices tumbling to roughly $83 per barrel, its lowest level since the war began.
Initial details of the deal from Iranian state media say the U.S. agreed to include a reconstruction package worth at least $300 billion and to release $12 billion of the regime's frozen assets.
Political analysts and observers mocked the announced deal on social media, arguing that it was yet another instance where Trump backed down from his threats.
"The reported details of this Iran deal are so insulting to the 13 U.S. servicemen and women who died," Mike Nellis, a Democratic political strategist, posted on X. "We’ve accomplished nothing. Iran is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, not giving up its uranium, and Trump is going to give them $25 billion. That’s way worse than the deal Obama negotiated."
"Congrats on things being back to how they were before you and Israel started this nonsense. What an incredible achievement," Barry Malone, a journalist and political commentator, posted on X.
"Until this is in writing and all parties sign in agreement, there is NO deal," Gabe Sanchez, who hosts the "What Was That Show" podcast, posted on X. "Trump gave away everything and I’m positive that he will screw it up even more."
"The president surrendered on his birthday," writer Peter Rothpletz posted on X.