① U.S. President Trump stated that the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran is not a final agreement and that the United States could resume military strikes against Iran if dissatisfied with the progress of the deal; ② Trump said he did not ask Gulf states to invest $300 billion in reconstruction funds for Iran, and the U.S. will not make any investment.
Cailian Press, June 17 (Editor: Niu Zhanlin) — According to CCTV News, U.S. President Trump said on Wednesday local time that the memorandum of understanding currently reached with Iran is not a final agreement, and the United States could resume military strikes against Iran if he is dissatisfied with the progress of the deal.
Speaking at the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in France, Trump said, “It’s just a memorandum of understanding. If I don’t like it, we’ll start shooting again and keep dropping bombs on them.”
He further warned, “If I’m not satisfied—if they don’t behave—we’ll immediately resume bombing, and the bombs will land right on their heads. Understand?”
Trump previously announced a ceasefire memorandum of understanding with Iran, with the formal signing ceremony scheduled to take place this Friday (the 19th) in Switzerland. Media outlets have already disclosed the 14-point content of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, though neither side has officially confirmed these details. It is reported that both parties have agreed to extend the ceasefire—initially declared in April—for an additional 60 days to allow time for negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire agreement.
Trump also stated that media reports claiming the U.S.-Iran agreement includes a provision for $300 billion in reconstruction funding for Iran are inaccurate. “We won’t contribute a single cent. The United States will not make any investment, nor have we established any related fund.”
He noted that he did not request Gulf countries to invest in Iran, but added, “If they want to do so, that’s fine too.” He added, “I think these countries won’t do so in the short term until they first observe how Iran behaves going forward.”
Meanwhile, G7 leaders called for a ceasefire in Lebanon and stated they would promote diversification of energy transportation routes to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz in response to the impact of the Middle East conflict. The leaders also welcomed the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict.
This summit is being held in Évian-les-Bains, a town in France located on the shores of Lake Geneva, approximately one hour’s drive from the location where the agreement signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday.
Next, the U.S. and Iran are expected to begin negotiations on a final peace settlement to formally end the war. According to reports, the conflict has resulted in more than 7,000 deaths, with the vast majority of casualties from Iran and Lebanon.
In their joint statement, G7 leaders said: 'We emphasize the necessity of addressing through negotiations the threats posed by Iran regionally and globally, and ensuring that it can never acquire nuclear weapons.'
The leaders expressed their willingness to engage in the implementation of the agreement. A joint mechanism led by the United Kingdom and France will assist in safeguarding maritime security following the resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
To date, Trump has not achieved most of the objectives he declared at the outset of the conflict. The Iranian government remains in power; its stockpile of highly enriched uranium has not been transferred; its ballistic missile capabilities have not been destroyed; and it has not ceased supporting armed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump stated that the agreement explicitly stipulates that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. U.S. officials added that subsequent negotiations will aim to secure the transfer or destruction of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.