US-Iran Deal: Why the Hardest Phase Is Still Ahead – India Weekly
The fragile peace agreement between Iran and the United States is already facing new hurdles, with tensions rising over the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and growing political debate in Washington.
Iran’s Foreign Minister has warned that any Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon or future Israeli strikes inside Lebanon would violate the newly agreed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. However, Israeli officials have stated that they intend to keep troops in the area, arguing that the agreement does not apply to Israel.
A formal signing ceremony for the U.S.-Iran agreement is expected to take place in Switzerland on Friday. The deal is designed to extend the ceasefire, reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, and begin a second phase of direct negotiations focused on Iran’s nuclear program and other long-standing disputes.
Trump Orders Boost in Weapons Production
As concerns continue over military readiness and ammunition supplies, President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate the production of munitions, missiles, and other defense equipment.
According to the White House, the move aims to address supply chain weaknesses and production bottlenecks that could affect America’s defense capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.
Senator Lindsey Graham Remains Cautious
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he remains skeptical about the upcoming U.S.-Iran negotiations but believes diplomacy deserves a chance.
Graham welcomed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce conflict but said it is too early to judge whether the agreement will succeed in the long term.
“When it comes to Iran, I’m pretty skeptical, but it’s worth a try,” he told reporters after a briefing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Senator Warnock Questions the Purpose of the War
Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock criticized the conflict, arguing that the current situation looks similar to where things stood before the war began.
Warnock pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz was already open before hostilities started and questioned whether the war achieved its stated goals. He also expressed concerns about America’s global credibility and argued that rivals such as Russia and China may have benefited from the conflict.
Asked whether the United States is safer today, Warnock responded that he does not believe it is.
Senate Rejects Measure to Limit War Powers
The U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a resolution that would have limited President Trump’s authority regarding military action involving Iran.
The vote highlighted divisions in Congress, with a small group of Republican senators joining most Democrats in support of the measure, while one Democrat voted against it.
Democrats Demand Full Details of the Agreement
Several Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called on the Trump administration to release the full text of the memorandum of understanding.
Critics argue that Americans deserve transparency after months of conflict and want to know exactly what commitments both sides have made.
President Trump responded by saying the agreement will be released publicly on Friday and promised to explain its contents in detail during a press conference.
Debate Over Frozen Iranian Assets
Another point of contention is whether Iranian assets frozen under sanctions should be released.
Republican Senator Rick Scott strongly opposes returning any funds to Iran and argues that the money should instead help cover U.S. military expenses related to the conflict.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said discussions about unfreezing assets remain possible as part of broader negotiations. Iranian officials claim that the agreement includes provisions for releasing part of the country’s frozen funds, though no assets have been released so far.
What Happens Next?
The coming days will be crucial for determining whether the U.S.-Iran agreement leads to lasting stability. The planned signing ceremony in Switzerland and the upcoming 60-day negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program will likely shape the future of relations between Washington and Tehran.
At the same time, disagreements involving Israel, Lebanon, sanctions, and regional security could test the durability of the peace effort.
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