President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his administration’s latest agreement with Tehran, which paves the way for lifting certain sanctions and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the move as a humanitarian intervention, insisting that frozen funds will be strictly controlled and spent on American agricultural and medical products.
“The Money and/or Sanctions that the U.S. Treasury is releasing goes into escrow, controlled by the U.S.A., and will be used for the purchase of food and medical supplies, exclusively from the United States, including Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers,” Trump wrote. He added that Iran faces a “humanitarian crisis” and argued it was necessary to act “NOW, before it is too late.”
The agreement marks a significant shift after the Trump administration and Israel launched initial strikes on Iran in late February, amid stalled negotiations over a new nuclear accord. The newly signed memorandum of understanding revives talks aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Vice President Vance said Monday that Iran has agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency back into the country as part of the first round of peace talks on Sunday.
Trump echoed that sentiment, claiming Tehran has “fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future (Infinity!!!)” to ensure “Nuclear Honesty.” The president also noted that ongoing negotiations for a long-term peace deal “are going well!”
The deal includes a provision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route that has been effectively closed due to the conflict and a U.S. naval blockade. However, the reopening remains precarious after Iran threatened to shut the strait again in response to recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Trump warned Tuesday that U.S. forces in the region remain poised to reimpose the blockade if necessary. “I have agreed to allow the Hormuz Strait to remain OPEN, with no further Naval Blockade,” he wrote. “However, all ships are remaining in place should it be necessary to reinstitute the Blockade, which seems, at this point, highly unlikely.”
The president’s defense of the sanctions relief comes amid criticism from hawks and some allies, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who face political peril from the ceasefire. The move could also boost Trump’s midterm prospects by easing tensions in a key region.
Critics have questioned whether the escrow mechanism truly prevents Iran from diverting funds to military or proxy activities. Trump dismissed such concerns, blaming “Fake News” for trying to downplay the administration’s victory. “Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary, coupled with the drumbeat of the Fake News, which is doing everything possible to make the U.S. Victory as small and insignificant as possible,” he wrote, “Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections.”
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could stabilize global oil markets, but the threat of a renewed blockade keeps energy traders on edge. The administration’s next steps will be closely watched as talks continue.
