Trump calls Iran agreement an unconditional surrender as U.S. lifts blockade

President Donald Trump told Axios that the agreement reached with Iran amounts to an "unconditional surrender" by Tehran and that he negotiated it to avoid a global economic depression. The memorandum of understanding, signed after three and a half months of hostilities that closed the Strait of Hormuz, provides a 60-day period for further negotiations, reopens the strait and sets a framework for nuclear talks, though many details remain to be settled.

Maritime traffic through the strait increased after the deal took effect, with at least 18 vessel transits recorded on June 17-18, the highest count since the conflict began, according to intelligence firm Windward. U.S. Central Command announced that all blockade enforcement actions have been halted, while naval forces will stay in the area to monitor compliance.

A White House spokesperson said Vice President JD Vance cancelled a planned trip to Switzerland for the start of the technical talks, citing logistical challenges. "The plans for the upcoming technical talks have not been finalized, and the U.S. delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity," the spokesperson said.

Lawmakers criticized the interim deal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump "did a very poor job of negotiating" and called the outcome a disaster. Senator Peter Welch said Iran retained leverage over the strait and that the war failed to achieve key objectives, estimating the conflict cost about $100 billion.

Trump responded to the criticism, dismissing opponents as "jealous, bad people or stupid" and questioning the benefit of extending bombardment while the strait remained closed. "This is the kind of thing that could cause a worldwide depression," he added.