After a few dozen false starts, it looks like the United States and Iran have finally struck a framework agreement to pause the war for another two months, stabilize global energy prices and re-open detailed negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump, in typical fashion, announced the accord on Truth Social, claiming it would put the Middle East on the road to peace. For once, the Trump administration and the Iranians are singing from the same song sheet.
On its face, stopping the fighting, at least for another two months, is a win for all sides. The war has hurt every one of its combatants mightily. More than 7,500 people have been killed. Trump’s approval ratings have gone down the tubes. Iran has been losing billions of dollars in oil revenue every week.
Given all that, a deal — any deal — is the best possible option on the table. But we shouldn’t get carried away and treat this framework as an unmitigated success for the United States.
This is a preview of a column by Daniel R. DePetris. Read the full column here.
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