Trump on Iran Deal: Credit If Done, Blame Vance If Not

President Trump said Wednesday he would be happy to blame Vice President JD Vance if a deal to end the war with Iran fails.

"If the deal gets done, credit goes to me. If it doesn't, I'll blame Vance," Trump joked, after a reporter suggested sending the VP to sign the Iran deal makes Vance a scapegoat.

Trump spoke to reporters at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, as a senior US official read the so-called memorandum of understanding text with Iran in a conference call, while two Republican senators slammed the agreement.

The text demands Israel immediately halt military operations in Lebanon, and Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days without tolls.

The 14-point MOU includes a US-Iran agreement on handling Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

One official argued there is no urgent need to enter Iran to retrieve these materials, as last summer's US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities buried them deep underground.

"Due to the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, these nuclear materials are buried very, very deep," the official said. Operation Midnight Hammer refers to US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.

Since launching the war on Feb 28, Trump has argued for another attack on Iran, citing the threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons. But the official's suggestion that the materials have been inaccessible since last year seemed to undermine Trump's argument.

In his video announcing the war, Trump said curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions was the reason for the attack.

"They are trying to rebuild their nuclear program and continue developing long-range missiles that could now threaten our European friends and allies, our overseas forces, and soon the US homeland," he said.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana posted on X that the deal is "the worst foreign policy mistake in decades."

"Iran's nuclear ambitions are unchecked, they've tasted the benefits of threatening the Strait of Hormuz and will do it again," Cassidy said. "Now under this deal, Iran can build new infrastructure. Before the war, the Strait was open, Iran was choked by sanctions, and 13 service members were alive. Now 13 Americans are dead, families have spent billions more on gas, sanctions will be lifted, and bombing has stopped."

Republican Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina told reporters on Capitol Hill: "Since the first kinetic strike, $100 billion has been spent. We lost two F-18s and several other aircraft. 13 dead. Several of our partners in the Middle East were attacked. 365 wounded."

"I need more than 14 clauses," Tillis said.

Trump's comment about preferring to have Vance attend the signing ceremony came at the end of a press conference, when he gave the last question to Fox News' Peter Doocy, who noted he was already in Europe.

Doocy asked: "Why not stay to sign the Iran peace deal?"

Trump replied: "I might." But he hinted he might not.

"It's a memorandum of understanding," Trump said. "It's very important, but maybe not the type of document I should sign."

Doocy continued: "There's this idea that you send the VP, if the deal works out great, it looks like a genius move."

"If it doesn't, it's the VP's fault?" Doocy asked.

Trump replied: "I like that idea."

"Right, so if it happens, credit to me. If not, I'll blame JD," Trump said.

"You better watch out, JD. He'll turn the plane around and get the hell out of here. Yeah, I like that idea. I think it's a good idea," the President said.

Full Text of the Memorandum of Understanding

Full Text of the MOU between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran

A senior US official read the text to reporters during a background conference call Wednesday—

The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, acting in good faith, have agreed as follows on a certain date:

1. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran and its allies in this war, by signing this MOU, declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts (including Lebanon) and commit from now on not to wage any war or military action against each other, avoid threats or use of force, and ensure Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. A final agreement will confirm the permanent end of the war on all fronts (including Lebanon) and other provisions of this paragraph.

2. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid interference in each other's internal affairs.

3. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran commit to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60 days (extendable by mutual consent).

4. Upon signing this MOU, the United States will immediately begin to lift the naval blockade and any interference or obstacles against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, vessel traffic will be proportional to the restored pre-war traffic of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States further commits to withdraw its forces from the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final agreement is reached.

5. Upon signing this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make every effort to arrange safe passage for commercial vessels between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with no fees for the first 60 days only. Commercial vessel passage will begin immediately, and given the need to clear technical and military obstacles and mines, normalcy will be restored within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will engage in dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman and consult with other Persian Gulf littoral states to determine the future management and maritime services of the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of littoral states.

6. The United States commits, together with regional partners, to develop a clear, mutually agreed plan for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, amounting to at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan will be finalized as part of the final agreement within 60 days. All necessary permits, exemptions, and authorizations for related financial transactions will be issued by the United States.

7. The United States commits to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran according to the timeline agreed in the final agreement, including UN Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all US unilateral sanctions (primary and secondary). The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States recognize the extreme importance of the above issue of terminating sanctions and express intention to resolve these issues immediately in negotiations to reach mutual agreement.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of enriched material inventory through a mutually agreed mechanism, which according to the timeline in paragraph 7, the minimum method is on-site dilution under IAEA supervision. Both sides also agree to discuss uranium enrichment and other mutually agreed matters related to Iran's nuclear needs on a satisfactory framework agreed in the final agreement. The final agreement will confirm this paragraph. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledge the extreme importance of the above nuclear issues and express intention to resolve them immediately in negotiations.

9. Until a final agreement is reached, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to maintain the status quo. The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status of its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose any new sanctions or deploy additional forces in the region.

10. The United States commits that, from the time of signing this MOU until sanctions are lifted, the US Treasury will issue exemptions for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and derivatives, and all related services (including banking, insurance, transportation, etc.).

11. The United States commits to make fully available the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. After implementation of the MOU, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will jointly agree on procedures for releasing these funds in negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in original accounts or transferred, shall be fully available for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States commits to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations.

12. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran agree to establish an implementation mechanism to oversee the successful implementation of this MOU and future compliance with the final agreement.

13. After signing this MOU, and subject to the implementation and continued enforcement of measures in paragraphs 14, 5, 10, and 11, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will commence final agreement negotiations on other paragraphs.

14. The final agreement will be endorsed by a binding UN Security Council resolution.