Trump's 12-point peace plan with Iran is revealed as conservatives revolt over $300 billion in aid

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:46, 17 June 2026 | Updated: 01:47, 17 June 2026 Donald Trump's secret plan to end the conflict with Iran has been revealed, triggering a fierce backlash from conservatives over claims Tehran could receive sweeping economic benefits worth hundreds of billions of dollars.  Details of the proposed agreement, reported by Israel's Channel 12 and first outlined by Axios reveal an ambitious roadmap that would halt hostilities across the Middle East, ease economic pressure on Iran and launch a 60-day negotiating process. The revelations have sparked debate inside pro-Trump circles and among US allies over whether the proposed incentives go too far, particularly with a provision envisioning a massive $300 billion reconstruction and development fund for Iran. At the center of the controversy is a memorandum of understanding that has not yet been publicly released by either Washington or Tehran. According to reports describing the document, the agreement would establish a temporary framework designed to prevent further escalation following months of conflict that culminated in American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and growing fears of a wider regional war. The framework is said to extend beyond Iran's nuclear program and touches virtually every major flashpoint in the region, including Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions policy, maritime security and the future presence of American forces in the Middle East. While supporters view the proposal as a mechanism for testing Tehran's willingness to negotiate, critics argue it risks providing significant economic relief without first securing concrete and irreversible restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. The White House has pushed back against claims that Iran is receiving a financial windfall simply for signing the agreement. President Donald Trump's proposed Iran framework is drawing scrutiny from conservatives who argue the deal offers Tehran significant economic incentives, including a pathway to a reported $300 billion reconstruction fund, in exchange for future nuclear concessions Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Tuesday A US official told Axios: 'This is a performance-based agreement. Iran can only access any benefits of the MOU if they abide by all of the points they agreed to – including no nuclear weapon, neutralizing its enriched material, and not interfering with the free flow of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.' Administration officials have also rejected claims that billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets will immediately become available once the memorandum takes effect. Still, questions surrounding sanctions relief, oil exports, frozen assets and the proposed reconstruction fund have become the most politically explosive aspects of the emerging deal. Conservative political commentators weren't buying the agreement on Tuesday evening.  'Name one country, any country, that would go along with a MOU or deal preventing or conditioning its ability to defend itself against a massive terrorist force on its border firing missiles and drones into its towns and cities. Name one,' tweeted radio host Mark Levin.  'And it has to get permission to defend itself or not strike too hard in response to imminent or actual terror attacks? And for what?' Former National Security Advisor during Trump's first term, John Bolton, was equally dismissive.  'It's a very bad deal to the United States. It's a mistake to give this brutal theocracy any of the assets. It's the same people but it's the same fanatics. Trump is desperate for a deal. They've played him like a violin. That's why they've got the deal that they want,' Bolton said.  Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear where he believes any payments to Iran would end up.  'A deal with Iran must recognize that this regime has no desire to be a responsible member of the community of nations. They do not regret the last 47 years nor think it was a mistake to kill Americans. They are all radical Islamists,' Pompeo stated.  'Any funds available to the regime - whether paid to them directly, provided by sanctions relief or via releasing escrowed funds - will go straight toward rebuilding the IRGC military capabilities and its terrorist proxies. When your enemy is at its weakest - win.'  Former National Security Advisor during Trump's first term, John Bolton, was dismissive of the MOU Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made clear where he believes any payments to Iran would end up Neither Iran nor America has yet issued a specific list of what’s in the heads of agreement, which is meant to form the basis of 60 days of peace talks while the guns fall silent According to reports describing the memorandum, the proposed agreement contains the following provisions:  Tankers and cargo vessels are seen in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea on Tuesday People make their way through the rubble of a destroyed building as residents displaced by the fighting return to Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Monday According to Axios, the memorandum opens the door to temporary sanctions waivers that would allow Iran to resume selling oil during the 60-day negotiating period.  The Wall Street Journal separately reported that sanctions waivers covering oil sales and related services such as banking, transportation and insurance would take effect immediately upon signing. The Journal reported that the agreement could eventually lead to broader sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and participation in a reconstruction fund valued at approximately $300 billion. Vice President JD Vance sought to calm concerns during an interview with Fox News, arguing that American taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the proposed development fund. According to Axios, Vance said the money would not come from US taxpayers and would only become relevant if Iran permanently dismantled its nuclear program, surrendered its enriched uranium and accepted inspections. The proposal nevertheless represents a dramatic shift from the pressure campaign Trump championed during his first term. Trump famously withdrew the United States from the Obama-era nuclear agreement in 2018 and repeatedly blasted the previous administration for providing sanctions relief to Tehran. That history has fueled criticism from opponents who argue the new framework bears similarities to the very approach Trump once condemned. Vice President JD Vance fired back at critics of President Donald Trump's peace deal, accusing them of spreading 'Iranian propaganda' Under the proposed Trump-backed framework, Iran would guarantee safe, toll-free passage for commercial vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes, during a 60-day negotiating period. Pictured, Qeshm Island (file) One provision calls for Iran, the United States and their allies to halt hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon.  Pictured, file photo of a missile strike in Tehran from March 2026 Administration officials insist the comparison is misplaced. A senior administration official told Axios that any long-term economic benefits would depend entirely on Iranian compliance and that Washington expects to determine within weeks whether Tehran is negotiating in good faith. The nuclear provisions themselves have also generated scrutiny. According to reports describing the text, Iran would once again pledge not to build or obtain a nuclear weapon.  However, the memorandum reportedly stops short of requiring immediate destruction of Iran's remaining enriched uranium stockpile or mandating an immediate end to uranium enrichment activities. Instead, those issues would become subjects of negotiation during the 60-day period. The proposal also states that the United States and Iran would work toward resolving questions surrounding Iran's uranium stockpile while broader discussions continue. Another major element concerns the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important waterways. Under the reported framework, Iran would be responsible for ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the chokepoint during the negotiating period. The memorandum also envisions discussions involving Iran, Oman and Gulf states aimed at creating a new maritime security arrangement for the region. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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