President Donald Trump announced the termination of the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding on March 20, 2026 [2].
This move signals a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. By dismantling the agreement and criticizing international partners, the administration is shifting toward a more unilateral approach to security in the Middle East.
Trump said that the battle with Iran has already been won militarily [1, 2]. He described the current state of the conflict as decided, stating in Arabic, "المعركة حُسمت عسكريا" [2]. Despite this assertion of victory, the president said that Iran continues to pose an imminent threat to regional and global stability.
The president also directed sharp criticism toward NATO members. He said allies are cowards for failing to support the United States in its efforts against Iran [1, 2].
During his remarks, Trump used the word "جبناء" — meaning cowards — to describe the allies [2]. He said that these nations have failed to share the defensive burden, leaving the U.S. to manage the confrontation largely alone.
The decision to end the memorandum of understanding removes a primary diplomatic framework for communication between the two nations. This action follows a period of increasing friction regarding Iranian influence and maritime security in the region.
Trump said the U.S. will no longer rely on agreements that do not provide reciprocal security benefits. The administration has indicated that future engagements with Iran will be based on new terms that prioritize U.S. interests and military dominance.
“The battle with Iran has already been won militarily.”
The termination of the memorandum of understanding removes one of the few remaining diplomatic guardrails between the U.S. and Iran. By simultaneously attacking the reliability of NATO allies, the administration is signaling a departure from multilateral diplomacy in favor of a 'maximum pressure' strategy. This increases the risk of miscalculation in the Strait of Hormuz and may strain diplomatic ties with European partners who prefer a negotiated settlement.
