President Donald Trump is drawing heavy criticism from opponents who argue his handling of the war with Iran has squeezed ordinary Americans, who have weathered higher pump prices and climbing inflation through the conflict.
Among the most significant provisions listed in the 14-point memorandum of understanding presented last week, the United States agreed to provide at least $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction and economic development, ease sanctions on the country and support the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange, Iran agreed to make concessions regarding its nuclear program and existing stockpile of nuclear material.
When asked whether the military conflict with Iran had taught him that there are limits to presidential power, Trump told Axios' Marc Caputo in an exclusive interview that there are "no limits" to his authority.
"I haven't learned that lesson yet," he replied. "I know there are, but there are no limits. We defeated them totally militarily."
Caputo also asked Trump about his earlier promise that the war would end with Iran's "unconditional surrender," pointing to the memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday.
"Well, it really probably is unconditional surrender," Trump told the outlet.
During the interview, Trump argued that the conflict demonstrated the strength and capabilities of the U.S. military.
"Who else could have done a blockade like that? I did a naval blockade where not one ship was able to get through. Some tried. It didn't last very long," Trump added.
Despite maintaining that the military intervention was a success for the United States, Trump acknowledged that reaching a deal with Tehran was the best outcome for Americans, arguing that the alternatives could have worsened global oil shortages.
"The only way I can get tougher is if I go in there for another two or three weeks and continue to bomb the hell out of 'em. Right? But what does that get us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be open," Trump said, adding that continued bombing could have pushed the world into a depression.
A formal follow-up signing, meant to start the clock on 60 days of final negotiations, had been penciled in for June 19 but slipped after Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed dozens that day and Iran refused to move ahead while the fighting raged. Vice President JD Vance, tapped to lead the talks, scrapped a planned flight to Switzerland — a wobble he had all but predicted a day earlier. Vance told reporters on June 18 that he still planned to take part but did not know "exactly when" the talks would happen.
"We think these technical negotiations start sometime this weekend," he said during a White House press briefing. "That's still the plan. But that could change."
It did. The session finally convened Sunday, June 21, at the Bürgenstock resort above Lake Lucerne, with Vance leading the U.S. side opposite an Iranian delegation that included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, alongside Qatari and Pakistani mediators according to NBC. The talks nearly fell apart before they got going. Hours earlier, Trump had used a Fox News appearance to threaten Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Tehran "won't have a country" if it sealed the waterway and floating the idea of U.S. forces seizing the route and collecting tolls. CNN reports that Iranian state media said the delegation briefly walked out over what it called an insulting message from the president, returning only after the mediators intervened.
After a session that ran past midnight, the two sides came away with a roadmap toward a final agreement rather than a finished pact, with Qatar and Pakistan describing the mood as constructive and citing "encouraging progress".
