INTERNACIONAL
Trump’s Iran agreement raises a basic question: Is it actually a deal?
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President Donald Trump has hailed the newly signed Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a breakthrough that normalizes relations between the two countries after months of fighting.
But by the White House’s own account, the agreement settles few of the issues that dominated months of negotiations, leaving sanctions relief, frozen assets and Iran’s nuclear program for a new round of talks.
«This is really just the first MOU and then we’re going to launch into the real technical discussions later this week,» a senior administration official told reporters Monday.
The memorandum, signed digitally by Trump and Vice President JD Vance Sunday, kicks off a 60-day period for technical talks aimed at a final agreement. A formal signing ceremony with U.S. and Iranian officials, along with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, is planned for Friday. Yet even administration officials acknowledge that the memorandum leaves many of the most contentious issues unresolved.
«We’ll know over the next two to three weeks whether those understandings will turn into an actual agreement,» a senior administration official said.
TRUMP MAY HAVE WON A STRATEGIC PAUSE IN IRAN. NOW COMES THE HARD PART
Nate Swanson, a former senior advisor on Iran policy to successive administrations and now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the memorandum appears to postpone rather than resolve disputes over sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
«It does not appear to resolve the core issues surrounding the mechanics of the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian nuclear concessions, or Iranian financial incentives and sanctions relief,» Swanson wrote in an analysis published by the Atlantic Council.
The memorandum of understanding signed digitally by Trump and Vice President JD Vance Sunday, kicks off a 60-day period for technical talks aimed at a final agreement. A formal signing ceremony is planned for Friday. (Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)
The remark was striking given that U.S. and Iranian officials have been negotiating since the April ceasefire and already had announced a signed memorandum and upcoming signing ceremony.
The president expressed optimism for a final deal.
«I think it’s going to happen, fairly on time, but we’ve been both involved. I think they’re going to want to get it done. Iran wants to get it done. They have to get back to business. And the relationship is now normalized,» Trump said during the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.
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The administration has yet to publicly release the text of the memorandum, but officials indicated that many of the issues that have dominated months of negotiations remain subject to future talks, including sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets and the disposition of Iran’s remaining enriched uranium stockpiles.
«Here’s what it says: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. That’s what it says. It won’t have one to buy, to develop. They will not have a nuclear weapon,» Trump told reporters Tuesday.
Administration officials said Monday the text of the deal would be released Tuesday or Wednesday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signed the deal along with the U.S. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
On perhaps the most disputed issue, White House officials insisted Monday that no frozen Iranian assets have been released, despite reports in Iranian state-linked media that Iran could gain access to roughly $24 billion in blocked funds during the negotiation period.
«The very simple fact is, $0 of unfrozen assets have been released by the United States or any other country.»
The administration also said it will maintain its current military posture in the region during the negotiations, despite Iranian accounts suggesting the framework contemplates a future reduction in U.S. forces around Iran.
«The plan is to keep the current force posture during the 60-day negotiations.»
Officials repeatedly stressed that any concessions would be tied to verification rather than promises.
«We’re still at the early phases where we’re building trust.»
«This memorandum does not mean trusting the enemy; it has been written with active distrust,» Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to Iranian state-linked Mehr News. «We will monitor the implementation of US commitments.»
The clearest immediate effect appears to be the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass, and a commitment by both sides to preserve the ceasefire while negotiations continue. Oil prices fell to their lowest levels in three months on the agreement to lift the blockade and open the strait.
Administration officials repeatedly described the memorandum as a framework that could eventually lead to sanctions relief, economic normalization and a broader settlement of Iran’s nuclear program — if negotiators can reach a final agreement in the coming weeks.
U.S. Central Command shared footage of strikes targeting airplanes amid the Iran conflict. (US Central Command)
«Nothing is on the table if it doesn’t come along with real performance.»
Iranian state-linked media have described the framework as already containing commitments on sanctions relief, access to roughly $24 billion in frozen assets, future reductions in U.S. military forces in the region and a $300 billion reconstruction program. The White House has disputed key elements of that characterization.
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«We don’t pay them — there was some statement. We’re going to spend $300 billion. No, we’re allowed to go and invest if we wanted to. Someday, in the future. We have no obligation whatsoever,» Trump said during the G7 Summit.
The competing descriptions underscore how much remains unsettled.
«There will likely be a significant delta between the aspirations outlined in the MOU and what emerges in a final deal,» Swanson said.
Some congressional Republicans already are questioning whether Washington and Iran are describing the same agreement.
«I think we’d all like to see the terms of the memorandum and hopefully end up with a real deal,» Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday.
«I don’t think there’s anybody in Congress that’s ever gonna support giving money to them,» he went on.
«They ought pay for what it cost us to do this to bring them to their senses to stop killing us … I want to get reimbursed for the money we’ve had to spend to bring them to their senses. They’ve got plenty of oil, they can rebuild their own country.»
«I am pleased to hear the memorandum of understanding with Iran to allow the Strait of Hormuz to open has been agreed to. I will be watching closely the ensuing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and other matters. I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming.»
nuclear proliferation, treaties, white house, iran, sanctions
INTERNACIONAL
Emmanuel Macron le ofreció a Siria ayuda francesa para convertirse en un nodo regional de energía y logística
El presidente de Francia, Emmanuel Macron, afirmó este martes en Damasco que su país está dispuesto a acompañar la reconstrucción de Siria y ayudar a convertirla, con el tiempo, en un “centro regional” para nuevas cadenas logísticas y corredores energéticos.
Macron participó junto al presidente sirio, Ahmed al Sharaa, en un foro económico en la capital siria, en el que ambos defendieron una nueva etapa de cooperación económica y atracción de inversiones tras la caída del régimen de Bachar al Asad, resultado de una ofensiva encabezada por el propio Al Sharaa en diciembre de 2024.
El presidente francés remarcó el interés de Francia en mantener e impulsar su apoyo para el desarrollo de Siria a través de una “asociación con efecto duradero” y “la construcción de ese nodo regional de corredores energéticos”.
Para ello, Macron, cuya visita a Siria es la primera de un líder de la UE desde el derrocamiento de Al Asad, sostuvo que la estabilización y reconstrucción del país deben generar oportunidades de empleo tanto para desplazados internos como refugiados en el extranjero.
“Es igualmente hacer de Siria, con el tiempo, un nodo regional”, afirmó al señalar que el país puede convertirse en un espacio donde se “desarrollen estrategias de largo plazo, nuevas cadenas logísticas y rutas energéticas que contribuyan a reducir los riesgos que afectan actualmente al funcionamiento de Oriente Medio”.
En ese contexto, aludió a las tensiones registradas en el estrecho de Ormuz como ejemplo de la necesidad de diversificar las rutas comerciales y energéticas, una circunstancia que, dijo, abre oportunidades para empresas e inversores franceses.
Antes de participar en este foro, hubo dos explosiones cerca del hotel donde se aloja Macron -sin que ningún autor las haya reivindicado aún- que provocaron al menos 18 heridos.
El presidente francés destacó el compromiso de Francia y de la Unión Europea con el levantamiento progresivo de las sanciones contra Siria y recordó que París fue uno de los primeros gobiernos en impulsar ese proceso, además de intentar convencer a otros socios, entre ellos Estados Unidos, para avanzar en esa dirección.
Asimismo, insistió en que la prioridad pasa por generar un “impulso de confianza” que permita atraer inversiones internacionales mediante un sistema financiero transparente y fiable.
En ese sentido, ofreció la cooperación de expertos franceses para apoyar la reforma del sistema bancario sirio, colaborar con el Grupo de Acción Financiera Internacional (GAFI), reforzar la cooperación con el Banco Central sirio y avanzar en la reestructuración de la deuda junto con el Fondo Monetario Internacional y el Club de París.
Según Macron, ese marco permitirá consolidar la estabilización del país y sentar las bases para una colaboración duradera que favorezca la creación de nuevos corredores energéticos y de conectividad regional.
Por su parte, Al Sharaa presentó a Siria como un país decidido a recuperar su papel económico gracias a su posición geográfica entre el Mediterráneo, el golfo Pérsico e Irak.
El mandatario afirmó que la reciente crisis en Ormuz puso de relieve el valor estratégico de contar con rutas marítimas seguras y sostuvo que Siria ha recuperado su relevancia como centro neurálgico para el comercio internacional.
“Queremos que Francia sea nuestro principal socio en este proyecto”, aseguró.
Asimismo, recordó que el grupo naviero francés CMA CGM firmó hace 14 meses un contrato para desarrollar el puerto de Latakia con una inversión de 230 millones de euros y posteriormente decidió ampliar el proyecto con otros 200 millones para incrementar la capacidad de la terminal hasta 625.000 contenedores antes de finales de este año.
Al Sharaa también expuso una amplia hoja de ruta para la reconstrucción que incluye la modernización de puertos, aeropuertos, navegación aérea, redes de electricidad y agua, exploración de recursos energéticos, digitalización de servicios públicos e impulso a las ciudades industriales.
Además, aseguró que su Gobierno trabaja en una reforma bancaria y regulatoria para reconectar el sistema financiero sirio con los mercados internacionales y facilitar la actividad de los inversores extranjeros mediante un entorno “seguro y transparente”, al tiempo que definió la alianza con Francia como un modelo para las futuras relaciones de Siria con Europa.
Macron, aseguró este martes que “nada podrá sofocar la aspiración de los sirios a vivir en una Siria plenamente soberana, segura, plural y unida”, después de las dos explosiones registradas en el centro de Damasco durante su visita oficial al país.
“He conocido esta mañana Siria en toda su diversidad. He visto dignidad, coraje y determinación. Mi visita continúa”, escribió el mandatario francés en sus redes sociales mientras proseguía su agenda oficial.
El Elíseo confirmó que Macron mantiene sin cambios el programa de su visita de dos días a la capital siria, pese a las explosiones registradas en las inmediaciones del hotel donde pasó la noche.
Momento de la explosión en Damasco durante la visita de Macron 2
“El programa continúa”, indicaron fuentes de la Presidencia francesa, que precisaron que, en el momento de las detonaciones, el jefe del Estado se encontraba en el Palacio Presidencial, donde mantenía una reunión con el presidente interino sirio, Ahmed al Sharaa, y las delegaciones de ambos países.
Macron realiza la primera visita de un jefe de Estado o de Gobierno de la Unión Europea a Siria desde la llegada al poder de la coalición islamista. Durante el encuentro con Al Sharaa, ambos dirigentes abordan la reactivación de la cooperación económica, la reconstrucción del país y cuestiones de seguridad.
Según la televisión estatal siria Al Ijbariya y la agencia oficial SANA, dos artefactos explosivos improvisados detonaron cerca del Ministerio de Turismo y del hotel Four Seasons. El Ministerio del Interior indicó que los explosivos habían sido detectados por las Fuerzas de Seguridad Interna durante operaciones sobre el terreno y que se abrió una investigación para identificar a los responsables.
Las autoridades sirias informaron de que al menos 18 personas, entre ellas cuatro agentes de policía, resultaron heridas en las explosiones, sin que por el momento se haya reivindicado su autoría.
Los atentados se producen pocos días después de otro ataque con bomba en una cafetería frecuentada por abogados, que causó diez muertos y 21 heridos, coincidiendo con el inicio de los juicios contra altos cargos del derrocado régimen de Bachar al Asad, acusados de asesinatos y de la represión de las protestas de 2011 que desencadenaron la guerra civil siria.
(Con información de EFE)
International,Relations,Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,Middle East
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Reform UK leader and British Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Farage announced he was resigning from Parliament on Tuesday.
Farage claimed he was resigning to force a by-election in his Clacton district and claimed he would run in it.
«Today I will resign as a Member of Parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, thereby forcing a by-election, which will happen, I hope in short order,» he said in a press conference broadcast from the Reform UK YouTube channel.
«This will be a people vs. the establishment by-election. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment, to frankly tell them where to go, and that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election,» he said.
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
united kingdom
INTERNACIONAL
Dem senator accused of being ‘nowhere to be found’ on crucial issue impacting kids in swing state
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Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., is being accused by Georgia’s top child welfare official of using vulnerable children and the state’s embattled foster care system for campaign credit after releasing a new ad touting his work on the state’s troubled system.
Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) Director Candice Broce criticized the new foster care-focused ad released last week as the Georgia Democrat seeks re-election in one of the nation’s most closely watched races. In the ad, titled «Our Kids,» Ossoff highlights «a scathing report» and «yearlong bipartisan investigation» alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., into the Georgia foster care system.
Ossoff presents his probe and new legislation as part of his record protecting children and holding the system accountable. However, Broce says the Democrat is overstating his role and turning a serious child welfare issue into a political victory lap.
«For five years, I’ve been in the trenches fighting for vulnerable children and foster care reform alongside thousands of DFCS workers. Trust us when we say Jon Ossoff is nowhere to be found,» Broce said in a post on X. «Ossoff didn’t get more funding for DFCS after calling us incompetent and resource-strapped. He didn’t secure more federal support for child advocacy centers despite the State’s requests.»
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Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., recently released an ad titled «Our Kids» touting his work reforming mismanagement and neglect in his state’s foster care system. (Getty Images)
«He didn’t fix federal law putting group homes out of business,» she continued. «He hasn’t streamlined adoptions for kids placed with loving families. Jon’s ad sounds great, but his words are meaningless to the men and women in the arena.»
Ossoff’s team fired back, however, calling Broce an «unqualified partisan political hack» and accusing her of «dangerous incompetence.» They pointed to Ossoff’s oversight work highlighted in the advertisement that Broce criticizes, which the spokesperson said found children in Georgia’s foster care system were likely sex trafficked while in state care, among other issues.
«The Office of the Child Advocate, juvenile court judges, former foster children, nonpartisan advocates, investigative reporting, and Senator Ossoff’s yearlong investigation have laid bare the deep and dangerous dysfunction at DFCS,» an Ossoff campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The campaign also cited testimony from juvenile court judges who accused Broce of suggesting that children with special needs be held in juvenile detention while DFCS searched for placements. Broce has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and arguing they distort a broader discussion about how to keep foster youth with complex behavioral issues, runaway histories and trafficking risks safe amid placement shortages.
ONE OF NATION’S LARGEST CHRISTIAN FOSTER AGENCIES WILL NOT ALLOW LGBTQ COUPLES TO ADOPT CHILDREN
Candice L. Broce (left) is the Director of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). She is pictured next to an image of baby strollers in an office. (Georgia DFCS/Getty Images)
«Candice Broce is a partisan political hack irresponsibly placed in charge of care for the state’s most vulnerable kids,» the Ossoff spokesperson said. «Instead of whining that her dangerous incompetence was made public, she should fix her broken agency.»
Broce rejected the attacks on her qualifications, pointing to her background as a health care attorney, former chief deputy executive counsel and chief operating officer to Gov. Brian Kemp and saying roughly 40 state agencies, including DFCS, reported to her in that role.
At the same time, she did not dispute that Georgia’s foster care system has faced serious challenges, but argued Ossoff used those problems for hearings, reports and campaign messaging without delivering meaningful help to fix them.
«If you’re going to beat us down, show up with something to make it better,» Broce said. «He didn’t do that.»
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Broce said Ossoff could have used his federal role to pursue resources on Medicaid, behavioral health access and placement capacity, rather than simply spotlighting DFCS failures.
«What’s actually bipartisan is the over $100 million in state funds we’ve gotten from Republican and Democrat legislators who support the issues we’re tackling and believe we deserve more resources,» Broce said. «If he decides today that he actually wants to help us and vulnerable Georgia kids, we’d welcome him with open arms.»
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., (right) and Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., (left) wave to students before speaking at a Dawgs for Warnock rally at the University of Georgia December 4, 2022, in Athens, Georgia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
However, Ossoff’s team contests it is not even «Senator Ossoff’s job to fix the state agency [Broce] leads» in the first place, and said Broce was whining that «it’s Senator Ossoff’s job to fix the state agency she leads.»
«While Sen. Ossoff led oversight, passed an anti-trafficking law, and helped save foster care funding President Trump cut, unqualified partisan hack Broce whines it’s Senator Ossoff’s job to fix the state agency she leads,» Ossoff’s representatives told Fox News Digital.
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Broce’s criticism of Ossoff included a contrast between his record and that of Georgia’s other U.S. Senator, Democrat Raphael Warnock. Broce called the difference «stark,» pointing to Warnock’s community events for vulnerable mothers and children and adoption-related measures as examples of practical support she says Ossoff has not delivered.
«Compare his child welfare record to Warnock’s. It’s crystal clear which U.S. Senator from Georgia cares about vulnerable families and kids, and it’s not Jon,» Broce said in her X post.
Ossoff, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, is seeking a second term in November against Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., who won the Republican nomination after defeating former football coach Derek Dooley in a mid-June GOP runoff election. Warnock will not face reelection again until 2028.
democrats elections, democrats senate, midterm elections, georgia, senate elections
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