Trump and Iran: The Art of an Even Worse Deal

“President Trump’s Worst Deal” is how these columns described last year the president’s pact in respect of Hamas in Gaza. It faulted the president for putting the Jewish state in an impossible position and increasing the chances of a new conflict. Yet that deal turns out to be but a prelude to an even worse deal — the one Mr. Trump has reportedly struck with the Iranian regime, which has oft been described as the head of the snake in the war against Israel.It’s too soon to know all the particulars of the deal announced on Sunday. It’s not too soon, though, to say that our hopes lie in an unconditional surrender by Iran. We marked this point repeatedly during the years of appeasement under President Obama and later President Biden. Our objection was to even talking with the Iranian camarilla. We also objected to any peace process that leaves Israel to play the part Czechoslovakia played — or didn’t play — at Munich.Pakistan’s prime minister on Sunday posted to X that “Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” Mr. Trump adds that the “Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.”The deal was preceded by a fit of presidential pique. Mr. Trump told Axios that Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu “has no fucking judgement,” but the bum’s rush into an accord with the mullahs of Iran would appear an initiative lacking in forethought. Israel’s Channel 12 reports that the Jewish state reckons that the accord endangers Israel’s “security interests” and is “paying on credit.” Good luck collecting on promises made at Tehran’s souk.The president’s anger at the premier was prompted by Israeli strikes against what the Israel Defense Forces calls a “Hezbollah command center” at Lebanon. Mr. Trump declares that the strike from Jerusalem “should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.” Protecting the Army of God as part of the deal with the Islamic Republic is by itself a blunder that will tie Israel’s hands. Even as the inchoate memorandum envisions the suspension of Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, it does not appear to provide for the suspension of Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies. Also hazy is the fate of Tehran’s enriched uranium and its nuclear program more generally. Mr. Trump said last week that the “main thing is we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Can’t do it. And we won’t do it.” Does this memorandum further that goal?Pakistan — a dubious mediator — shares that the signing ceremony for the deal is slated to take place on June 19 in Switzerland. Mr. Trump for his part crows “Congratulations to all! Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” The Straits, though, were open before this war. Iran has achieved much, it appears, in exchange for a mere return to the status quo ante bellum, albeit with even greater cash on the way to fund terrorism and mayhem. The broader issue is that this deal puts America in a contractual agreement with the theocrats of Iran, a point we’ve warned against for years. Israel, while not a party to the deal, will be expected to abide by it, to the detriment of its own security. Mr. Trump’s waging of war against Iran demonstrated that he grasped the severity of the threat. All the more disappointing that he now appears intent on traveling to Switzerland to snatch defeat from victory’s jaws.

Trump and Iran: The Art of an Even Worse Deal

More from the New York Sun

‘Ask E. Jean’ Is a Hagiographic Look at the Gonzo Writer Who Has Twice Bested Trump in Court

Apple Is Hoping AI Will Solve Its Siri Problem

Switzerland Votes on Whether To Cap Its Population at 10 Million

More from the New York Sun

‘Ask E. Jean’ Is a Hagiographic Look at the Gonzo Writer Who Has Twice Bested Trump in Court

Apple Is Hoping AI Will Solve Its Siri Problem

Switzerland Votes on Whether To Cap Its Population at 10 Million

Designer Fashion Gets Increasingly Expensive as it Delivers Diminishing Returns

With Lawsuits Cleared and Tempers Flaring, UFC Readies for Trump’s Birthday Bashing at the White House

Critics Look to States To Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal After Justice Department’s Approval

White Students Are Now a Minority in American Schools, New Analysis Finds

Trump’s Name Removed From Kennedy Center After Federal Judge Rules Rebranding Unlawful