Contrasting Scenes After MOU: Trump on Defense, Iran in Boasting Mode

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war between the United States and Iran, the leaders of both nations are focusing on promoting the achievements of the agreement.

However, a difference in temperature is being felt, as U.S. President Donald Trump, seemingly conscious of domestic criticism, has focused on "defense" by repeatedly emphasizing the legitimacy of the agreement, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proactively released photos of the MOU signing to show off the diplomatic achievement.

On June 18, local time, President Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, "The fools who think I wasn't tough enough on Iran, at a time when the stock market just set an all-time high and oil prices are plunging, are either jealous, bad, or just plain stupid."

This is interpreted as an attempt to counter criticism of the agreement and highlight its achievements by pointing out that the market is reacting positively, with rising stock prices and falling oil prices, following the MOU between the U.S. and Iran.

In another post, President Trump wrote, "Oil is flowing and Iran will never have a nuclear weapon (the world will be safe!)," adding, "The stock market is soaring, employment is at record highs, and prices are coming down (relief from the cost of living!)."

He continued, "Our country is stronger, safer, and more respected than ever before."

President Trump also posted a link on Truth Social to an article stating that the Pope highly praised the agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

By sharing a report that Pope Leo XIV, who had once clashed with him over his criticism of the war with Iran, evaluated the agreement positively, Trump repeatedly highlighted the legitimacy of the deal.

In a press conference the previous day, President Trump evaluated the agreement, saying, "We achieved all the goals we set out to achieve, and more," and described it as "ending the current conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons."

However, there is no shortage of assessments within the U.S. that the achievements presented by President Trump are exaggerated.

In the case of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran began blockading it and using it as leverage in negotiations following the war with Iran initiated by the U.S., and the period during which transit fees are not charged is specified as only "60 days" in the MOU, leaving room for Iran to impose fees in the future.

In addition, it remains uncertain how Iran's promise to "prohibit the possession and purchase of nuclear weapons," which President Trump put forward as the ultimate goal of the war with Iran, will be concretely implemented in future follow-up negotiations.

Concerns over economic fallout also appear to have played a role in President Trump's rush to reach this agreement.

In his press conference the previous day, he said that the escalation of military conflict with Iran "could have caused a global recession," adding, "What I did not want to see was an economic catastrophe."

Analysts say that amid concerns that rising oil prices and overall inflationary pressures from a prolonged war could intensify, President Trump could not help but worry about the economic impact and subsequent political fallout ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November.

Vice President JD Vance also focused on blocking criticism that the U.S. made unilateral concessions to Iran, emphasizing during a White House briefing on June 18 that any economic benefits or sanctions relief Iran would receive through this agreement would only be possible if Iran complies with the agreement and changes its behavior.


Meanwhile, Iranian President Pezeshkian released the full text of the war-ending MOU signed by himself and President Trump via X (formerly Twitter).

The MOU he posted consists of two versions—one in English (three pages) and one in Persian (two pages)—with both presidents' signatures on each page.

President Pezeshkian described the MOU as "a historic document and a message from a strong Iran."

He emphasized, "This document reflects the voice of a nation that has not traded its dignity and independence under any threat or pressure," adding, "The achievement recorded today is the result of a combination of national patience, political rationality, and responsible diplomacy."

Photos released through Iran's state-run IRIB broadcast also showed President Pezeshkian holding up the signed MOU with both hands.

This is interpreted as a domestic and international propaganda move to define the agreement as a victory for Iran, emphasizing that it did not yield to U.S. military pressure and successfully drew economic incentives, such as sanctions relief, from the U.S.

The White House also later posted a video of President Trump signing the MOU on its X account.

The White House wrote, "The claim that the U.S. is paying $300 billion to Iran is fake news. All the U.S. gets is success, lower oil prices, and victory," calling it "propaganda being spread by the Democrats."

This also appears to be intended to block the spread of criticism that the administration made excessive concessions to Iran and to frame the controversy as a political offensive by the Democrats.

(Photo: Captured from IRIB Telegram channel, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.