Donald Trump left the Palace of Versailles after a dinner where he signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran, as French first lady Brigitte Macron stood behind. The Trump administration declared a "major win," while Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem proclaimed a "great victory" as the text of the 14-point US-Iran memorandum became public.
Iran's Perspective
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said: "The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge." Iran's official state news agency, Irna, released a photograph of President Masoud Pezeshkian holding a Persian-language document showing his signature alongside Trump's. According to Reuters, Ghalibaf told state TV: "Everything we sought to achieve through military action, we obtained several times over through negotiation; it was not even comparable."
US Claims and Concessions
The Trump administration released the text of its 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming a "major win" for the United States, despite making significant political and financial concessions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent a "worldwide depression." Trump was shown on a White House video signing the memorandum at Versailles, where Germany signed the humiliating Treaty of Versailles in 1919 after losing World War I.
In extraordinary remarks, Trump went from threatening Iran with new attacks to suggesting the country had rights to enrich uranium for civilian use, that he would not pressure Tehran to abandon its ballistic missiles program, and that the US would "have to give back" billions in frozen Iranian assets.
Other Developments
Confirmation Process Derailed
Trump abruptly diverted the confirmation process for Jay Clayton as US intelligence chief, allowing his controversial selection for acting director of national security, Bill Pulte, to assume the role for at least several weeks.
Georgia Redistricting
Georgia Republicans declined to redraw the state's congressional map during a special session, defying Trump's calls for redistricting after a Supreme Court decision gutted part of the Voting Rights Act.
January 6 Defendants
January 6 defendants who assaulted police officers are pursuing legal claims for millions in compensation through an obscure federal process with minimal oversight, offering the Trump administration a way to compensate those responsible for violence.
Other News
- The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and signaled a possible rate hike before year-end.
- Trump's nominee for a top DOJ watchdog refused to call the January 6 insurrection an "attack."
- Air force officials released names of eight men killed in a B-52 crash at Edwards air force base.
