Larry Johnson: Israel’s Sabotage Backfires – Trump’s Last Move ENDS Israel's Agenda

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States faces significant challenges due to vastly different interpretations from both sides. While Iran expects immediate release of frozen assets, compensation for war damages, and comprehensive sanction relief, US officials like J.D. Vance emphasize Iranian commitments on its nuclear program as a prerequisite for economic access. This fundamental disconnect, coupled with the US's historical record of withdrawing from agreements like the JCPOA, leads to strong skepticism about the MOU's enforceability and longevity.

Larry Johnson highlights that Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, detailed expectations of 'immediate and permanent ceasefire,' $12 billion up front, and immediate sanction relief, while the US side, through J.D. Vance, speaks of a 'two-step verification process' where Iran must honor commitments on its nuclear program to gain economic access. Johnson states, 'The two sides are just sort of engaged in self-delusion... one side is lying and that's the United States.'

Israel is increasingly isolated internationally and remains heavily dependent on US military and economic support. Despite this, Israeli officials express defiance against external pressure, asserting their right to act independently. Larry Johnson argues that former President Trump possesses the power to significantly curb Israeli actions by withdrawing critical US military assets, such as air refuelers essential for long-range strikes, but has historically lacked the political will to do so.

Smotrich stated Israel has 'never experienced such pressure' and Ben Gvir declared a 'sovereign state is not a subcontractor of any superpower.' Johnson notes Israel's reliance on 'US air refuelers in order to carry out strikes on Iran' and that Trump 'has it in his power to say, 'Okay, we're calling all those back.'' He adds, 'He can shut down Israel, but he does not have the will.'

Even with a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the economic recovery for Gulf energy markets will be significantly delayed. Extensive physical damage to oil wells and critical infrastructure, particularly Qatar's liquid natural gas facility, requires substantial repair time. Additionally, a large number of ships that have been stranded for months will need servicing before they can resume operations, further hindering the immediate flow of goods.

Johnson states, 'There is physical damage to oil wells and especially in Qatar to the liquid natural gas facility that some say it's going to take a year to repair.' He also mentions 'a large number of ships that are going to have to get serviced before they can even begin to go out back to sea.'

The focus on Iran's nuclear program is framed as a pretext rather than the true underlying cause of conflict. Iran has consistently stated it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, and its enrichment efforts were primarily aimed at compelling Western powers back to the negotiating table after the US withdrew from the JCPOA and European signatories failed to uphold their commitments.

Johnson asserts, 'The whole focus on the Iranian nuclear program is just an excuse. This was This was not about Iran getting a nuke.' He explains Iran 'went to the 60% level was to try to compel the West to come back to the negotiating table.'