As Criticism Mounts Over 'Humiliating MOU,' Trump Says Deal Was to Prevent Economic Depression

Highlighting the Success of the Agreement in Both SNS Posts and Interviews
Claims End-of-War MOU is "Virtually Unconditional Surrender"
Denies Assessments of "Limits of Power"

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have signed an end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent a global economic depression. He also asserted that the end-of-war MOU amounted to Iran's "unconditional surrender." After the details of the MOU were released—revealing provisions such as $300 billion in reconstruction funds for Iran and effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz—criticism surged, prompting Trump to justify the agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump is speaking at the Group of Seven (G7) summit held on the 17th (local time) in Evian, France. Photo by AP Yonhap News

In an interview with Axios released on June 18 (local time), President Trump said, "The only way I could act even more forcefully would be to bomb Iran for another two or three weeks," adding, "But what would that accomplish? The Strait of Hormuz would not be opened."

He argued, "The oil supply could be cut off for months, and this could lead to a global economic depression." Axios reported that President Trump had recently expressed to his inner circle his concerns about the global oil supply shock that could result from a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, Axios analyzed that President Trump, who had initially demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" after launching the war on February 28, appears to have opted for a realistic agreement instead of pursuing his maximum objective.

The White House stated that the MOU includes the following provisions: a 60-day ceasefire, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a basic framework for nuclear negotiations. It also outlines that the United States will establish and implement a definitive and mutually agreed plan, amounting to at least $300 billion (approximately 457 trillion won), for Iran's reconstruction and economic development. In contrast to President Trump’s emphasis on "open access without tolls," the MOU stipulates that the Strait of Hormuz will be toll-free for only 60 days, which has further fueled controversy. However, key issues—including the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, handling of highly enriched uranium, ballistic missile concerns, and support for pro-Iranian armed groups—have been deferred to follow-up negotiations over the next 60 days.

President Trump also denied assessments that the limits of his power had been exposed. When asked, "What have you learned about the limits of power from this war?" he replied, "I haven’t learned such a lesson yet," adding, "I know there are limits, but there are no limits." He further stated, "We have militarily defeated Iran completely," and argued that the end-of-war MOU also represents "virtually unconditional surrender."

Meanwhile, President Trump wrote on his social network, Truth Social, "Those fools who think I have not responded tough enough to Iran, even as the stock market just hit an all-time high and oil prices are plummeting, are either jealous people, bad people, or just plain stupid." This was interpreted as a rebuttal to critics of the agreement and an attempt to highlight his achievements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.