Israel trusts Trump to negotiate with Iran, Israeli UN envoy tells CNN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided criticizing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding in recent conversations with American officials and said that if Tehran fully complied with the deal’s terms, it would be a “home run,” Israel's Channel 12 reported.

The report said US officials believe far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir are pushing Netanyahu to take a tougher stance against the deal.

Israeli officials rejected that assessment, saying opposition to the deal extends across the security establishment, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials, who view the agreement as a strategic disaster for Israel, according to the report.

“Israel must be prepared to act alone,” a senior member of Netanyahu’s security cabinet was quoted as saying. “It won’t happen tomorrow morning, but our baseline assumption is that Trump has lost interest, regardless of what the Iranians will or won’t do.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would be increased gradually and that vessels should pass at the time and along the route allocated to them due to security issues.

Technical details about passage through the strait will be announced by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, the council said.

Measures on mine clearance will be carried out under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, it added.

US President Donald Trump said the United States expected a complete ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel, and urged countries in the Middle East to allow negotiations to continue.

“The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“The Markets are loving what is happening with Oil Prices way down, and Stocks way up. We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel,” he added.

A message attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he authorized the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the presidents of Iran and the United States despite having “another view in principle,” after receiving assurances that Iran’s rights and those of the “Resistance Front” would be protected.

In the message issued after the signing, Khamenei said Iranian officials had made extensive efforts “out of compassion and goodwill” to reach the agreement, while describing US President Donald Trump as having acted “out of desperation” and used “all kinds of leverage” to secure it.

Khamenei said he had given his approval after President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his capacity as head of the Supreme National Security Council, pledged on behalf of himself and other council members to safeguard Iran’s national rights and the interests of the Resistance Front.

“He also made clear that if the American side seeks excessive demands, they will not accept them,” Khamenei said.

The message appeared aimed at addressing criticism from hardliners opposed to the deal, with Khamenei saying the Iranian nation and himself would now await the fulfillment of the stated conditions.

He also warned that future in-person negotiations would not amount to accepting the position of “the enemy.”

“From this moment, we — you, the proud nation, and this humble servant — will await the realization of the stated conditions,” he said.

US President Donald Trump denied the United States would make a $300 billion payment to Iran, though the memorandum of understanding he signed refers to a US-enabled plan of at least $300 billion for Iran’s reconstruction and economic development.

“There is no 300 Billion Dollar payment to Iran by the U.S. That’s Fake News! All there is for the U.S. is Success, Lower Oil Prices, and Victory. Check out the Stock Market. Dumocrat propaganda at play!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The fund has been described as being made up of private-sector money, backed by commitments from companies in the United States, Persian Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa, with no government money or grants.

Article six of the memorandum of understanding, as read out by a US official on Wednesday, says the United States will work with regional partners to develop the plan and grant the licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions.

“The United States of America undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America,” the US official read out.