Trump Sends Ominous Message To Iran At G7
While speaking during a press conference at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France on Wednesday, President Donald Trump refused to rule out additional military action against Iran if the regime refuses to abide by the terms of the memorandum of understanding to end the conflict.
The MOU was negotiated over the preceding weekend following a period of conflict involving U.S. and Israeli actions against Iranian targets and Iranian responses, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Senior U.S. officials released the 14-point text of the MOU on June 17. It outlines an immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Iran also commits to never producing nuclear weapons and to neutralizing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium through down-blending under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision on Iranian soil
In addition, the agreement calls for toll-free passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Upon signing, the U.S. Treasury Department will issue waivers allowing Iranian exports of crude oil, petroleum products, derivatives, and associated services such as banking, insurance, and transportation.
A 60-day period follows for technical negotiations toward a fuller agreement, with either side able to withdraw. Plans include a future comprehensive reconstruction and economic development framework for Iran involving regional partners, potentially valued at least at $300 billion.
Trump stated that the MOU does not require detailed enforcement mechanisms for accountability because the United States would respond with military force if Iran fails to comply. “When I say permanently, it should be permanently— but if it’s not permanently, we will bomb them,” the president said in reference to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “They will be bombed,” he added.
In related comments during the same press conference, Trump described the arrangement as not final and noted that if Iran does not comply, the United States would resume military action. He stated that sanctions alone would prevent Iran from rebuilding certain capabilities.
Trump emphasized that the nuclear stockpile issue is secondary to Iran’s binding commitment against producing nuclear weapons. He went on to indicate that U.S. forces would remain in the Persian Gulf region for a period after any agreement to monitor developments.
He also remarked that he did not wish to prolong the conflict in ways that could disrupt global markets or cause broader economic harm. On the planned signing, scheduled for Friday in Geneva, Trump noted he might attend but suggested it could be handled by Vice President JD Vance, joking that credit would go to him if successful and blame to the vice president if not.
The president thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for maintaining neutrality during the negotiations, stating that their actions helped facilitate progress. He said the MOU represents a step to end hostilities while preserving U.S. leverage through the option of resumed military operations if terms are violated.
Officials described the uranium down-blending provision as a baseline requirement, with further measures possible in subsequent talks. The 60-day technical period is not presented as a rigid deadline.