Trump Defends Iran Deal After Signing Peace Agreement in Paris

US President Donald Trump has defended a new Iran peace agreement after criticising opponents who called it a concession. The deal, signed in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron present, aims to end the Middle East conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It includes a two-month negotiation period on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief. While supporters say it promotes peace and stability, critics in the US argue it gives Iran financial benefits without fully curbing its nuclear ambitions.

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised his detractors following backlash over a newly reached agreement with Iran, dismissing those who claimed he made concessions to end the war as “fools”. His remarks came ahead of scheduled negotiations in Switzerland focused on the implementation of the deal.

The agreement, which was unexpectedly finalised after days of uncertainty regarding its signing, was formally signed by Trump during a high-profile ceremony held on Wednesday evening. The signing took place during a candlelit dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the historic Palace of Versailles, located outside Paris. The venue is symbolically significant, as it also hosted the signing of the treaty that ended World War I.

During the ceremony, Macron praised the development, reportedly exclaiming “bravo” as Trump signed the agreement in bold black ink. For Macron, the event was seen as a diplomatic success, especially following his hosting of the G7 summit.

Shortly after the signing, Trump took to social media on Thursday to defend the agreement and respond to critics. He described those questioning his approach to Iran as “jealous, bad people, or stupid,” arguing that his strategy had already produced positive economic signals. He pointed to a rising stock market and declining oil prices as evidence that the deal was beneficial, while maintaining that critics were misrepresenting its impact.

The agreement itself is aimed at formally ending hostilities in the Middle East conflict involving Iran. Following the signing, oil prices reportedly fell as markets reacted to expectations of improved stability and the reopening of key energy routes. One of the central provisions of the accord is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping passage.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, who played a mediating role in the negotiations, stated that the agreement would take immediate effect. He confirmed that Iran would instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and he also signed the accord, adding further regional backing to the deal.

Despite the signing, the agreement includes a two-month negotiation period during which all parties are expected to continue discussions. These talks will focus on ensuring full implementation, particularly regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and broader issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the agreement as a major diplomatic breakthrough. He stated that it would allow for peace, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, and provide a 60-day window to reach further consensus on nuclear issues, ballistic capabilities, and regional security matters.

However, confusion has emerged over the precise next steps. The deal was initially expected to be formally signed in Switzerland at an exclusive mountain resort on Friday. That ceremony was meant to involve Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, along with US Vice President JD Vance. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei later indicated that an in-person signing ceremony was no longer necessary.

Contradicting this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that an official ceremony would still take place in Switzerland on Friday, where technical-level talks are also expected to begin.

Under the terms of the agreement, the United States has committed to immediately lifting oil sanctions that have significantly impacted Iran’s economy. The move is seen as a key component of the broader effort to stabilise relations and restart economic engagement between the two sides.

Domestically, Trump’s decision to bring an end to the conflict has sparked mixed reactions. The war reportedly resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and the depletion of a substantial portion of American ammunition stockpiles, according to reports. Some of Trump’s political allies have expressed concern about the long-term implications of the agreement.

US Senator Bill Cassidy, a member of Trump’s Republican Party, described the deal as the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades,” arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain unrestrained and that the country has effectively been rewarded for threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

Critics, including commentary cited by Fox News, have also argued that the agreement provides Iran with significant financial benefits while failing to require the dismantlement of its nuclear programme. These concerns continue to fuel debate over the strategic implications of the deal as negotiations move into their next phase.