Trump says 'no limits' to his power, but his Iran deal opens $300 billion for Tehran
US President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea that the war with Iran exposed any limits to his power, telling Axios that he still believes
US President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea that the war with Iran exposed any limits to his power, telling Axios that he still believes there are "no limits" to what he can do as president. The remark followed his decision to settle for a far narrower deal with Tehran than the one he originally demanded, and comes as Trump is separately reported to be testing comparisons between himself and history's most dominant rulers. Also Read | ONGC may invest ₹15,000 crore in new strategic oil reserve Trump entered the conflict insisting on Iran's unconditional surrender and ended it instead with a memorandum of understanding, according to Axios. He told Axios correspondent Marc Caputo on "The Axios Show" that he had agreed to the narrower deal specifically to stop the war tipping into a global economic depression, while continuing to insist the outcome amounted to total victory. Claiming no limits: defiant after the deal Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What specific provisions are included in Trump's Iran deal? ⌵ Trump's Iran deal includes 14 provisions, such as requiring Iran to allow free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the US to end its naval blockade, and Tehran gaining access to at least $300 billion in financing. 2 Why did Trump decide to settle for a narrower deal with Iran? ⌵ Trump settled for a narrower deal to prevent the war from potentially triggering a global economic depression, emphasizing that the war's escalation could have severe repercussions on global oil supply. 3 How did Trump justify his claims of victory after the Iran deal? ⌵ Trump justified his claims of victory by stating that the military objectives were achieved while maintaining that the memorandum amounts to unconditional surrender, even if the terms differed from his original demands. 4 What was the reaction from Iran's leadership regarding the deal? ⌵ Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had a negative view of the deal but permitted President Masoud Pezeshkian to sign it, indicating a pragmatic approach despite his reservations.
5 Should the US citizens be concerned about the financial implications of the Iran deal? ⌵ Critics warn that the Iran deal may leave Tehran financially better off, raising concerns among US citizens about its potential long-term effects on national security and economic strategies. Asked what the war had taught him about the limits of his own power, Trump did not hesitate. "There are no limits," he said. Pressed further, he added: "I haven't learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but there are no limits." Behind the small print: what the deal actually gives Iran The gap between Trump's original demand and the agreement he signed drew direct pushback during the interview. "Beginning of the conflict, you had talked about, you only wanted unconditional surrender," Caputo said. "And the MOU doesn't look like unconditional surrender." Trump disagreed, insisting "we defeated them totally militarily" and that the memorandum “probably is unconditional surrender.” Also Read | Trump Explains Why He Cut a Deal With Iran The text of the agreement suggests a more complicated picture. It runs to 14 provisions, requiring Iran to allow free passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US to end its naval blockade, while giving Tehran access to at least 300 billion US dollars in financing, with the removal of existing US sanctions contingent on a final agreement still to come. The arrangement contains 14 provisions requiring Iran to allow ships to travel freely through the Strait of Hormuz, the US to cease its naval blockade, and Iran to gain access to at least $300 billion in financing, with several provisions advantageous to Iran including funds for rehabilitation and economic development. Even inside Iran, the agreement was not universally welcomed. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly held a negative view of the deal but granted permission for President Masoud Pezeshkian to sign it regardless. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the MOU after Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei granted permission despite his negative opinion of the peace agreement.
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