Thursday 25 June 2026

Donald Trump accused of handing Iran lifeline as experts warn Islamic Republic and UK proxies ‘emboldened’ by peace deal

WATCH: Donald Trump signs Memorandum of Understanding with Iran in Versailles

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X/THE WHITE HOUSE

Marcus Donaldson

By Marcus Donaldson


Published: 18/06/2026

- 19:47

'This is an exercise in kicking the can down the road. It has nothing to do with a long-term solution,' regional expert Roger Macmillan said

President Donald Trump’s peace deal with Iran has been accused of giving the Islamic Republic “breathing space” to rebuild its arsenal and terror network.

Speaking to GB News, regional experts warned that the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Versailles will only “embolden” the regime and its proxies, including those active in the UK.


On Wednesday, President Trump signed the peace deal that ended hostilities with Iran and reopened the Strait of Hormuz, paving the way for sanctions relief and future nuclear talks.

However, the agreement will see the Islamic Regime remain in control and does not address Tehran’s support for proxy groups across the Middle East and beyond, some of which have recently threatened British targets.

“This is an exercise in kicking the can down the road. It has nothing to do with a long-term solution,” Roger Macmillan, an Iran and counterterrorism specialist, told The People’s Channel.

“It emboldens them, it reinforces them, it refinances them. Crucially, it gives them what they need: breathing space.

“It doesn't impact their proxies. It doesn't reduce proxies' ability to operate both overseas and here in the UK. It doesn't stop at funding other organisations in the UK.”

“This deal simply re-emboldens all these entities, which are funded and supported by the Islamic Republic… It will ignite yet more hatred overseas”.

Donald Trump attending Versailles dinner

Donald Trump's Iran peace has been accused of 'emboldening' the regime

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GETTY

The expert also criticised Washington’s pledge to support $300billion in reconstruction and economic development funding for Iran.

“No reparations have been given to the UAE, to Qatar, or to other Gulf countries. Nothing for them.

“Isn't it usually the victor that chooses how the spoils of war are divided?”

Tehran-born expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, Beni Sabti, shared Mr Macmillan’s concerns.

Donald Trump signing the Iran memorandum of understanding

'This is an exercise in kicking the can down the road. It has nothing to do with a long-term solution,' expert Roger Macmillan told GB News

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X/THE WHITE HOUSE

“In the end, there will be another conflict. The deal is just like a temporary medicine or something to put on the wound,” he told GB News.

“Iran will not be loyal to their word. The words and the agreements are to be broken later.

“We will have terror, we will have missiles, and we will have, of course, Tehran developing a nuclear program in a short time, maybe that will take a little bit more.”

Mr Sabti argued the MoU would be “framed as a victory” by Iran and boost the regime’s confidence.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signing the Memorandum of Understanding

He argued the deal gave the Islamic Republic 'breathing space' and did not address the regime's overseas terror network

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REUTERS

“There is always one who wins the war and one who loses the war. You don't make compromises in radical Shiite Islamic groups.

“When Mr Trump compliments them, he actually gives them psychological strength that sometimes is more important than missiles or the nuclear program, or even the terror program.

“It means that they can survive and can do, more or less, whatever they want.

“The psychological part is no less important, perhaps even more important than the physical war,” the Iran expert stressed.

Iranian missile battery before flags of the regime

'In the end, there will be another conflict. The deal is just like a temporary medicine,' expert Beni Sabti said

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GETTY

Mr Sabti explained that the US and Israeli decapitation strikes had left the Islamic Republic almost totally in control of the IRGC’s hardline military leadership.

“They are not trustworthy at all… This new kind of regime is one where they believe in deceit and cheating the other side.

“It is not their profession to talk to compromise.

“They have to win, not to talk but to fight and bring maximum success. This is the only thing that Iranian generals understand,” he warned.