TRU expert welcomes latest U.S.-Iran deal to end lengthy war

“I think the real winner of this temporary ceasefire is the average person at gas stations who were paying high prices,” Bano told CFJC Today. “This is going to give them some temporary relief. This is going to help relieve us from the economic shock that we were facing globally where everyone was facing higher inflation.”

Israel joined the U.S. in launching the war on Feb. 28, but it is not party to the deal. The Israeli defense minister said Monday that the country would not withdraw from land seized in Lebanon, where Israel is fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

“If hostilities resume between Hezbollah and Israel, this temporary ceasefire might derail,” Bano cautioned. “There are also some hardliners in Iran who are also protesting that Iran is giving into U.S. demands and that is another area we need to look at.”

Bano said while Israel “remains a wildcard” moving forward, she believes U.S. President Donald Trump will try to pressure Israel to not spoil this deal.

“Trump is facing domestic opposition to this war and its no longer possible for him politically to prolong this war,” Bano said. “He is facing domestic heat, so is in the U.S.’ best interest to keep this deal. At the same time, Iran is also facing economic consequences of the naval blockade. So, it is also in Iran’s interest to continue to this deal.”

“We have heard President Trump has called Israel’s [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and threatened them that, ‘If you are not gong to cooperate, you are on your own.’ Israel knows without U.S. cooperation, it cannot continue all of its military adventures in the region.”

Even with a deal, energy experts caution it will take months for oil and gas supplies to flow freely enough for the world’s needs to be met because shipping and insurance companies want to be confident the agreement will last.

Despite the uncertainties, world leaders from Europe to China welcomed the agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting Trump and other world leaders at a Group of Seven summit this week, said France and other Western partners are “ready to take action very quickly” to help restore normal shipping traffic in the strait once the U.S. and Iran agree to such a mission.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also welcomed the deal, saying he would have an opportunity at the G7 to see what Canada and other countries can do to help reinforce the reported deal.

“Canada very much welcomes this progress,” he said.

He told reporters the situation in the Middle East “underscores” the need to make commodity systems more resilient to the shocks a conflict can create. He said that conversation will take place at the G7 as well.

Others leaders have expressed caution that the deal remains tentative. Luxembourg’s foreign minister, Xavier Bettel, noted: “It’s a long time till Friday.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

by Victor Kaisar

TRU expert welcomes latest U.S.-Iran deal to end lengthy war

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