U.S.-Led War, Burden on Allies? Concerns Rise Over Post-War Agreement

[Anchor]

The $300 billion "Iran Reconstruction Fund" included in the recent ceasefire agreement is raising concerns that the United States is attempting to shift the costs of a war it initiated onto its allies. Furthermore, the fact that the agreement leaves room for Iran to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz is also becoming a point of contention.

Reporter Kang Min-woo has the story.

[Reporter]

Article 6 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the ceasefire, released by the U.S., states that "the United States will work with regional partners to develop a final, mutually agreed-upon Iran reconstruction and economic development plan of at least $300 billion."

The phrase "work with regional partners" has been interpreted as an attempt by the U.S. to raise the funds—amounting to approximately 465 trillion won—from its allies rather than from its own coffers.

[Vance / U.S. Vice President: We will encourage other nations, not the U.S., to invest in Iran. This will only be possible if Iran strictly adheres to the terms of the agreement.]

Previously, Reuters also cited U.S. government officials as saying that companies in the U.S., Asia, and other regions have already agreed to provide over $150 billion in funding, with South Korean companies also being mentioned.

There are growing concerns that the U.S., which started the war unilaterally without prior consultation with its allies and placed a massive burden on the global economy, is now shifting the costs of post-war recovery onto Middle Eastern nations that suffered from retaliatory attacks and private companies in allied countries.

[Cho Han-bum / Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification: It would be very unfavorable for us if we are forced to invest in projects with low profitability, or if the U.S. takes all the lucrative opportunities. That is the scenario being envisioned.]

Article 5 of the MOU, which allows civilian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz "without any cost for only 60 days," is also controversial.

By limiting toll-free passage to the 60-day period during which the final ceasefire agreement is being negotiated, the provision is facing criticism for leaving the door open for Iran to impose some form of transit fee in the future.

(Video Editing: Kim Jun-hee)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.