Avi Benlolo argues that President Donald Trump's recent memorandum of understanding with Iran effectively hands victory to the Iranian regime. The Tehran Times, the regime's mouthpiece, has declared the war a strategic 'military victory over U.S.-Israeli military aggression,' claiming that Trump is disguising a setback as a success. Benlolo contends that the agreement is heavily weighted in Iran's favor, rewarding terrorism and prioritizing oil flow over global security.
Iran's Military Losses and Strategic Gains
Iran has suffered severe military defeats in recent years, including the sinking of its navy, destruction of air defenses, and pulverization of nuclear and missile sites. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many top leaders responsible for the October 7 atrocities against Israel and the deaths of 40,000 Iranian civilians have been killed. However, Iran's blockage of the Strait of Hormuz proved a checkmate move, crippling the global economy and forcing Western leaders to beg for an agreement. Benlolo asserts that this demonstrates Iran's superior negotiating skills, even against Trump.
Trump's Own Words Come Back to Haunt
Benlolo recalls Trump's 2020 statement: 'Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!' He argues that the MOU proves this true, as Trump gave up on his red lines and fell into Iran's negotiating trap. The Iranians have a history of prolonging talks to tire opponents, as seen with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which took 18 months to negotiate.
Exclusion of Israel and Vague Nuclear Provisions
The deal is so unfavorable that Israel was excluded from seeing drafts and the final agreement until days later. Benlolo likens it to Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it a 'complete capitulation to the barbaric Mullahs.' The agreement demands an immediate end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, without addressing Israel's security concerns regarding Hezbollah.
Furthermore, the nuclear provisions are vague. The MOU only in the eighth paragraph states that Iran reaffirms it shall not develop nuclear weapons, and it promises to resolve enriched material disposition under IAEA supervision—an organization Benlolo deems ineffective. The next paragraph muddies this by allowing Iran to maintain its nuclear status quo while the U.S. imposes no new sanctions and deploys no additional forces. Benlolo warns that Iran will use this clause to keep negotiating, retaining its nuclear assets while enjoying sanction relief.
