SouthernWorldwide.com – The Trump administration has decided to maintain its current military presence in the Middle East, even after signing a new accord with Iran. This decision highlights Washington’s ongoing reservations about Tehran’s intentions as both nations embark on a 60-day period of negotiations.
A senior U.S. official stated that the plan is to keep the existing troop deployment unchanged during the 60-day negotiation phase. While the hope is to eventually reduce these forces, no such drawdown is occurring at this time. The agreement itself anticipates a reduction in military forces in the region once a final deal is reached.
Officials confirmed that President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have all signed the memorandum. The specific details of this agreement are slated for public release within the next 24 to 48 hours, with a formal signing ceremony expected later in the week.
This stance means the Pentagon will sustain a military posture that recently involved approximately 50,000 troops stationed across the Middle East. This represents one of the largest U.S. troop concentrations in the region in over two decades. Data tracking naval assets indicates that at least two carrier strike groups remain within the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
U.S. officials consistently emphasized that any sanctions relief, release of assets, or future concessions would be contingent upon verification and Iran’s adherence to its commitments, not merely on promises. One senior official acknowledged that the two sides are still in the initial stages of “building trust.”
This underlying lack of trust was apparent in how the administration described the agreement, which presented key differences compared to accounts published by Iranian officials and state-affiliated media outlets.
White House officials asserted on Monday that no frozen Iranian assets have been released. They also reiterated that any sanctions relief would be directly tied to Iran’s performance during the upcoming negotiations.
“The very straightforward fact is that zero unfrozen assets have been released by the United States or any other country,” one official stated.
In contrast, Iranian officials and media outlets have characterized the agreement as a precursor to the release of approximately $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds and broader economic relief during the negotiation period.
White House officials refuted reports of any funds already being released. They repeatedly stressed that any future economic concessions would be earned through compliance rather than granted upfront.
“We will make some minor gestures at the beginning if they make some minor gestures to us,” an official commented.
While President Trump has framed the agreement as a potential turning point in U.S.-Iran relations, the memorandum itself is more limited in scope. The framework aims to extend the ceasefire, establish a 60-day negotiation window, and crucially, seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is vital, as it normally handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
The reopening of the Strait is anticipated to be the agreement’s most immediate and economically significant outcome. White House officials indicated that the memorandum provides for the opening of the waterway and the lifting of the naval blockade. However, they cautioned that commercial shipping might take days or weeks to return to normal levels, as mines are cleared and shipping companies regain confidence in the route.
Officials also stated that the agreement mandates the Strait to remain open and toll-free throughout the 60-day negotiation period. The administration anticipates a significant increase in shipping traffic in the coming days, which should alleviate pressure on global energy markets.
According to officials, the deal establishes a framework whereby Iran could eventually receive sanctions relief and gain broader access to the global economy. This would be in exchange for verifiable actions ensuring Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons and curbs its support for terrorism and regional instability.
“If they are willing to behave like a normal country, then we are willing to treat them like a normal country,” one official remarked.
The prospect of renewed traffic through the Strait has already had a noticeable impact on global markets. Oil prices saw a decline following the news of the agreement, as traders anticipate that one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints could soon resume normal operations.
