US President Donald Trump has described the memorandum of understanding with Iran as being close to Tehran’s “unconditional surrender,” claiming the United States completely defeated Iran militarily while choosing a limited agreement to avoid a wider global crisis.
In a social media message and remarks reported by Axios, Trump said the war demonstrated American military superiority, but continuing the operation could have triggered a global economic shock by threatening the Strait of Hormuz and oil supplies.
Trump said the United States had “completely defeated Iran militarily” and argued that the memorandum signed with Tehran was “probably an unconditional surrender.”
The US president said the conflict showed the strength of the American military and did not expose any limits to his power or influence.
Asked what he had learned about the limits of presidential authority after the Iran conflict, Trump said: “I haven’t learned that lesson yet. I know there are limits, but there are no boundaries.”
He added that the circumstances of the war did not restrict his authority or influence.
Limited agreement to avoid global crisis
Trump said he ended the war through a limited agreement because further military action could have created a global crisis.
According to the US president, continued bombing of Iran for another two or three weeks could have worsened the situation rather than resolved it.
“The only way to get tougher is to go in there for another two or three weeks and keep bombing the hell out of them. But what will that give us? The Strait of Hormuz will not be opened,” Trump said.
He warned that if the operation had continued, the Strait of Hormuz could have remained closed, threatening global oil shipments and raising the risk of a worldwide economic depression.
Oil shipments resume
Trump said oil shipments have now started, calling it a sign that the world is safer after the agreement. He said investors are responding positively to declining oil prices and a rising stock market.
The US president also linked the agreement to broader economic improvements, saying the stock market is going up, a large number of jobs are being created, and inflation is coming down.
Trump said the world is now safer because Iran will never be able to develop nuclear weapons. He has repeatedly argued that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear arms was one of the central reasons behind the conflict.
He said the memorandum of understanding has helped move the region away from a dangerous confrontation while protecting global economic stability.
US says it remains committed to peace
In his social media message, Trump said the United States is committed to peace. He said Washington expects a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah.
Trump urged all parties in the Middle East to remain committed to moving forward with negotiations.
Trump said he expects the agreement with Iran to support wider de-escalation across the region. He specifically mentioned Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah while calling for a ceasefire on all fronts.
His comments suggest Washington wants the memorandum to become a foundation for broader regional negotiations, not only a bilateral arrangement between the United States and Iran.
Trump defends deal despite military victory claim
Trump’s remarks attempted to balance claims of military victory with the economic rationale for ending the war.
While he said Iran had been defeated militarily, he also acknowledged that continuing the conflict risked closing the Strait of Hormuz and triggering a global oil shock.
The president framed the agreement as a strategic decision that secured oil flows, calmed markets, and prevented a wider economic crisis.
