Iran Claims Victory, Calls U.S. Peace Deal ‘Surrender’
Iranian military leaders described a new U.S. memorandum of understanding as American "defeat and surrender," while civilian officials took a more measured tone about the deal ending hostilities.
The defiant message came from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s armed forces command center, and marked a stark contrast with statements from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other civilian regime figures. While these officials also claimed victory for Iran in the negotiations, they added cautious provisos about waiting for Washington to fulfill its commitments before celebrating, Breitbart News reports.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that after weeks of intensive negotiations, Iran had accepted the terms of a memorandum of understanding that would bring an end to Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon engagement launched in late February following the elimination of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Operation Epic Fury saw the U.S. military, working alongside the Israel Defense Forces, eliminate dozens of senior Iranian regime figures, leaving the country fractured between competing civilian and terrorist power centers. During the conflict, Iran imposed a blockade on global commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to blockade Iranian vessels in response. Both actions severely disrupted the global economy, particularly fossil fuel trade between Gulf states and East Asia.
The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, according to Breitbart News. He announced full authorization for toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade, adding that ships of the world should start their engines and let the oil flow.
Lebanon Hostilities and Nuclear Question Remain
Some reports suggest the memorandum includes provisions to end hostilities in Lebanon, where the Iranian proxy terrorist organization Hezbollah remains engaged in ongoing warfare with Israel. Israeli forces have invaded and seized large portions of Lebanese territory, displacing over 1 million people. As of Monday morning, however, the Israeli government is resisting any cessation of its Lebanese operations.
The agreement reportedly does not resolve President Trump’s primary concern regarding Iran: permanently ending its illicit nuclear development program, particularly the enrichment of substantial uranium stockpiles. The memorandum is expected to establish a 60-day negotiation period focused on the nuclear issue, with both parties hoping to achieve an end to Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting significant financial sanctions.
Trump told the Wall Street Journal this weekend that he would address the enriched uranium issue, much of it now buried underground following American airstrikes in June 2025, at a later stage. He indicated there was no rush, suggesting a timeframe of one to two months, as reported by Breitbart News.
The memorandum is not yet in force and is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday.
Iranian Military Command Claims Victory
Iranian state media outlets celebrated the news while framing the agreement as a military triumph for the regime. The Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters issued a statement, distributed by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, declaring that Iran’s terrorist military had proven through strength that the humiliated American and Zionist enemies had no choice but to accept defeat and surrender.
The statement added that the headquarters had repeatedly warned against all forms of aggression against Iran and elsewhere in the region, emphasizing that resistance was the only path to victory.
The Tasnim News Agency, believed to maintain connections with Iran’s terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published a report citing an anonymous informed source who claimed Iran had forced the inclusion of Lebanon into the agreement at the last minute, despite President Trump having vocally opposed Israeli operations in Lebanon for weeks.
Tasnim also claimed the memorandum left open the possibility for Iran to impose tolls on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz through language stating that the management of maritime navigation services in the strait fell under the responsibility of Iran and neighboring Oman. The government of Oman has served as a key negotiator in the process leading to the current peace deal and maintains friendly relations with the United States.
With information from Breitbart News
