i24NEWS Arab affairs commentator Zvi Yehezkeli launched a sharp attack Thursday morning on the U.S.-Iran agreement signed in Versailles, saying Donald Trump had yielded to Iranian economic pressure by opening the Strait of Hormuz. He called it, “not an exaggeration to say this is a surrender agreement,” and said Trump signed it at dinner in the Versailles Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The 14-clause accord took effect after being signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as well. It extends the ceasefire by 60 days, during which talks are meant to produce a permanent arrangement and address Iran’s nuclear program. Yehezkeli argued that comparing Trump’s wartime statements with the final text shows Washington dropped most of its demands on Tehran.
According to the agreement as described, there are no limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program or on its support for Hezbollah and other regional groups. It reopens the Strait of Hormuz without payment, lifts the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, eases sanctions, unfreezes Iranian assets, and reduces enriched uranium stockpiles under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. Reuters reported that traffic through the strait is expected to return to full levels within 30 days, alongside measures that could boost Iranian oil exports. Yehezkeli said, “He opened all his cards and turned out not only to be stupid, but also to be lying.”
He added that Trump’s public remarks, including suggestions Iran could hold the strait for two years and praise for Iranians as “smart people,” exposed U.S. pressure points and damaged Washington’s standing in the region. Iranian media, he said, are portraying the deal as a clear American failure, while Tehran is already preparing for the next stage and hoping to bring Russia and China into its camp. “The economy broke him,” Yehezkeli said.
Yehezkeli also noted that Trump has delivered major gains for Israel, including recognition of Jerusalem as its capital, recognition of Israeli sovereignty on the Golan Heights, and help in securing the return of hostages. Still, he argued that Trump’s economic approach failed against Iranian patience and attrition, leaving Israel in a “very difficult strategic problem” even after military pressure weakened Iran and Hezbollah. He did not rule out the deal collapsing if Iran violates it, and said Trump could resume fighting; Trump likewise warned after signing that the U.S. would attack again if Tehran breaks its commitments.
